Sean Payton to Present Drew Brees at Hall of Fame Induction

Sean Payton, now with the Denver Broncos, received a touching call from Drew Brees, his former quarterback with the New Orleans Saints. The call brought Payton to tears as Brees requested him to present him at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

Payton and Brees were a successful duo with the Saints, spending 15 years together and winning the Super Bowl in the 2010 season. Brees, who retired in 2020, ranks second all time in passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.

Expressing his emotions, Payton said he was surprised and honored by the request. He remarked, “Honest to God, I can’t believe you just did that.” Brees responded with warmth, “I can’t wait. I love you.”

Payton noted to reporters at the Broncos training camp, “It was just a lot — 15 years together. 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 they prepare for the Hall of Fame event, Brees joins other legendary figures like Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig as part of the 2026 class.