METAIRIE, La. -- At the time, James Laurinaitis said, growing up as the son of a pro wrestling star just felt “normal.”

“Until you grow up and realize not everyone’s dad had a mohawk and mullet combination and face paint,” Laurinaitis said.

The New Orleans Saints’ new middle linebacker has talked before about growing up as the son of “Animal” from the Road Warriors and Legion of Doom, and how he learned his work ethic from his famous dad.

Joe Laurinaitis, also known as "Animal" from the Road Warriors and Legion of Doom, still found time to coach son James' youth football and baseball teams. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

But Laurinaitis had the room full of media members cracking up Thursday when he shared the lighter side of his upbringing.

“The funny thing when I look back now is he used to be our coach in baseball and football all the time. And he would always wear those old-school Gold’s Gym style tank tops, you know, the really skinny tank tops, where his nipples would be showing and everything,” Laurinaitis said. “My dad was 6-1 and about 320 in his best shape. And he’d be sitting there with a mohawk just screaming. I was quarterback up until like eighth grade. I’d throw a pick, he’d just be screaming at me. The other parents were just terrified, like, ‘Who is this guy?’ Or he’d yell at the ump in baseball.

“The best part is the tank tops would have his own logo on it, so it’d be like ‘Legion of Doom.’ And that was our team jerseys. So looking back on it now, it’s like, ‘Well, I guess that’s not really normal.’ But then it was, and it was fun. And we didn’t have too many calls go against us, I’ll tell you that much.”