Sean Payton could be in stands as New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees attempts to reach new milestone
As New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees tries to achieve a new milestone on Sunday when the Saints face San Diego Chargers his mentor Sean Payton may be in the stands to cheer him on.
Payton had been suspended for a year this offseason after his role in the Saints bounty scandal was revealed but he has now been allowed to sit in the stands for one game after a special request from Brees to National Football League (NFL) commissioner,
Roger Goodell, was granted.
Brees in an email to Goodell recently asked the commissioner to allow Payton, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant coach, Joe Vitt to be in the stadium when he tries to break Johnny Unitas' NFL record of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown
pass.
Payton and Brees share a close relationship with the suspended head coach along with Loomis playing a vital role in bringing the quarterback to New Orleans in 2006 even as he was recovering from a big shoulder injury.
The request is a one-off granted by Goodell.
NFL confirmed that the request was granted in a statement to the press which read:
"Drew Brees requested permission for Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis and Joe Vitt to attend Sunday night's game in which Drew will attempt to set the record of 48 straight games with a touchdown pass. Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has granted that permission,"
Adding further it said:
"Coaches Payton and Vitt and Mickey Loomis will be permitted to watch the game in a private area of the stadium and will have no contact with the team."
Loomis is currently suspended till week 8 of the current NFL season while Vitt who had been named as the interim head coach during Payton’s suspension is suspended till week 6 of the season.
Aaron Kromer the offensive line coach of the Saints is currently the interim head coach in the absence of both Vitt and Payton.
The Saints are 0-4 this year after a horrendous start to the season and Brees will hope to get his milestone touchdown as well as the franchise’s first victory against the Chargers on Sunday.
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