As Cam Jordan enters what he anticipates will be his final season with the New Orleans Saints, he's leaning on a tradition he's cherished since its inception: the annual Sack Summit.
This three-day event, held in Las Vegas and co-organized by All-Pro edge rusher Von Miller and Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby, brings together top defensive linemen from across the NFL. It serves as a unique platform for knowledge exchange, skill refinement, and camaraderie through drills, film study, and discussions.
"I've been a part of those camps way back when," Jordan told Fox News Digital. "So, the fact that we can all team up, call our friends around the league, and come in and talk ball. It's that mentality."
Jordan highlighted the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of peers, mentioning conversations with players like Brian Burns about pass-rushing techniques and reflections on past strategies from players like Chandler Jones. He also noted the presence of legendary figures, including Giants icon Lawrence Taylor and former defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who share their insights on the evolution of the game and the art of the pass rush.
"Whether it's Warren Sapp, John Randle, or whoever walks through just talking about how the game has changed, which pass rushes stayed the same. What they see, the influx. It's all about the progressive mentality of pass rushers," Jordan added.
The event fosters a collaborative environment where even those with established careers, like Jordan himself, find value in the shared learning experience. He emphasized that the younger generation of players is not hesitant to absorb information, and in turn, they offer fresh perspectives that can help veterans evolve their own game.
"For the last 12 years, you've seen the next generation, right? The NFL average of contracts is three and change, so you figure after your first four years, it's really the next generation already if you look at it that way," he said. "I've seen multiple ages come through where it's now more along the lines of not being afraid to give the information at hand. I tell guys all the time for whatever I give you, take all of it. Be able to use all of it because I'm going to take something back. The best part of the craft is you can always evolve."
Beyond the on-field development, the Sack Summit also emphasizes community impact. Jordan, alongside Miller and Crosby, has partnered with Raising Cane’s, the event's sponsor, to support various charitable initiatives. Jordan specifically mentioned his shared connection with Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves to the New Orleans community, leading to Graves' donation to Jordan's foundation to fund scholarships for high school seniors.
"Todd Graves with Cane’s, the ‘One Love,’ [slogan], he makes it felt every time in any circumstance," Jordan said. "I've been able to lean on him a couple times over the last few years to get things done, not only with my foundation, but Sack Summit as well as the activations he partakes in with Cane’s. He’s such a stand-up, great guy."
During the holidays, Jordan and other NFL players, including Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, have participated in gifting Raising Cane's-branded bicycles and helmets to children through Boys and Girls Clubs nationwide.
The spirit of the Sack Summit, reflected in Raising Cane's 'One Love' slogan, unites players through their shared passion for the defensive line position. For Jordan, the event represents the pinnacle of professional development and connection within his position group.