Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton became visibly emotional after receiving a FaceTime call from former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who asked Payton to present him at his upcoming Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Payton, who was with the Broncos at training camp, described being "caught off-guard" by the request.
"Honest to God, I can't believe you just did that," Payton told Brees, wiping away tears. "Yeah, absolutely man."
Payton and Brees spent 15 seasons together with the Saints, forging a strong relationship that led to a Super Bowl XLIV victory and consistent success in the NFC. Brees, who retired in 2020, ranks second all-time in NFL history for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.
"It was just a lot — 15 years together," Payton reflected to reporters. "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. As a coach, it's an honor to be asked."
Brees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, joining fellow inductees Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, Roger Craig, and Larry Fitzgerald. The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in Canton, Ohio.