Sean Payton Will Attend Saints Game on Sunday

The NFL may be able to keep Sean Payton away from the sidelines, but it’s decided to let him on on a little history. Since New Orleans Sunday night game against the San Diego Chargers will likely be the moment Drew Brees passes Johnny Unitas for the most consecutive games with a passing touchdown, Roger Goodell has ruled that he’s lifting the restriction on Payton that says he can’t be anywhere near the Saints during his year long suspension.

It’s going to be a glorious moment for Brees and the Saints. The team is in the udumps, replicating the New Orleans ‘Aints days with their 0-4 record, so Brees getting his record is a much needed break from depression. It’s also likely going to be the Saints first win of the season which means get ready for a weeks worth of “The Saints win when Sean Payton’s in the building” talk form all the pundits.

The record being broken against the Chargers is also symbolic in that it’s a story coming full-cricle for Brees. He was drafted by the Chargers back in 2001 by San Diego and wasn’t brought back when the team traded for Philip Rivers three years later. Brees then went to New Orleans and the rest, as they say, is a Hall of Fame career.

But having Payton in the house will be the most symbolic gesture of all. It was Payton that showed blind faith in Brees and the two have an incredible relationship. For Brees, having Payton there to watch him break this historic record will be like having a second father there. Payton was present for the first touchdown and he’s going to be there for the 48th.

Interestingly enough, both Joe Vitt and Saints owner Mickey Loomis were granted permission to attend the game but declined the invitation. Both cited their beef with NFL as the reason for throwing the gesture back at Goodell and the owners.

No matter who declined and who accepted, the fact of the matter remains that we will see history on Sunday night and Sean Payton, despite his ban from the NFL, is going to be there cheering on his guy.