The news that Drew Brees asked Broncos coach Sean Payton to be his presenter in Canton at Sunday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies—and Payton’s emotional reaction—made bigger news, at least in Denver, than the selection of Brees itself.
Brees made the request in a video call to his former coach, and the exchange was filmed by a New Orleans Saints staffer. Brees played the most productive seasons of his 20-year career in New Orleans under Payton, now in his fourth season as Broncos coach.
“Honest to God, I can’t believe you just did that,” Payton said tearfully. “It’s awesome.”
“I can’t wait. I love you,” Brees replied.
To anyone who has not been part of an HOF induction ceremony, the reaction is likely some form of, “What’s the big deal? Payton’s not the one being inducted.”
But, as one who has experienced Payton’s role, I can tell you it means a lot, especially if you’re someone who was in a management or supervisory role and at times had to make decisions that may have been unpopular with those in a subordinate role.
Coaches do that a lot.
I was attending a Rockies afternoon game many years ago—with my boss, oddly enough—when I my cell phone began alerting me to an incoming call. I excused myself to find out who it was, and why they needed to speak to me just then.
Turned out someone I once hired and had supervised at a couple of newspapers was going to be inducted into the Denver Press Club Hall of Fame, and he wanted to know if I’d be his presenter.
We’d had our moments, including across the bargaining table in union negotiations, but a collegial friendship endured.
I was thrilled to be asked. It meant that he felt I had contributed to his success despite the times we disagreed.
So, I can appreciate how Pateon felt when Brees asked him.
“Listen, it caught me off guard,” the strong-willed coach said. “I have an Android phone. I had never really gotten a Face-Time (type of call).
“It was just a lot, being 15 years together.”
Payton explained that the bond between a coach and quarterback can sometimes be overlooked, particularly because those partnerships do not always conclude on good terms.
“It was just a lot—15 years together,” Payton said. “A lot of times, for a number of reasons, those relationships—quarterback-coach—you kind of take for granted.
“Yet sometimes, oftentimes, they don’t end the way you want them to end. I’m proud that it ended the way he wanted it to. I’m excited for him.”
Payton said he was preparing to play golf with a group of friends when the call arrived. His wife and the others already knew what Brees planned to ask.
“As a coach, it’s an honor that someone would ask you to do that.”
Actually, it’s an honor for anyone in any profession.
Payton and Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006 and helped transform the Saints into regular contenders. Their tenure included a victory in Super Bowl XLIV, where Brees was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Brees retired after the 2020 season with 80,358 passing yards, 7,152 completions, and 571 touchdown passes—second in NFL history all-time in all three categories.
Payton will fly to Canton after Saturday’s practice, accompanied by other Broncos staffers who were with him and Brees in New Orleans.
His remarks aren’t official yet, but he reflected on landing Brees over the Miami Dolphins after San Diego released him.
Payton said he got lost while driving Brees and his wife Brittany around New Orleans. It was after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.
“I remember looking in the rearview mirror, and Brittany was dozing off,” he recalled. “I thought, ‘I should just take them to the airport now.”
But Payton was misjudging the situation. Brees and his wife both embraced the storm-ravaged city.
Payton admits to wondering if he’d made a mistake when Brees took the field for his first pre-season camp with the Saints. Recovering from a torn rotator cuff, Brees began slowly.
“I said, ‘I’m tired of seeing Roger Goodell’s name on the ball when he throws it,’” Payton remarked, describing the lack of zip on Brees’ first passes.
But Brees quickly began increasing his velocity, and the rest, to modify a tired saying, is 15 years of history ending with a trip to Canton for both player and coach.
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Denny Dressman writes a weekly sports column for The Villager. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.