Former Panther quarterback Sean Payton, former Panther will have his No. 18 jersey retired from Eastern’s football team.

Payton, won Coach of the Year honors in the NFL, and most recently a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints.

“Coach Payton’s jersey is being retired because of his accomplishments as a player at Eastern Illinois University from 1983-86,” said Rich Moser, associate athletic director. “He and Tony Romo are regarded as two of the best players to ever play at Eastern Illinois. He also is being honored for his role in representing Eastern Illinois in his professional career.”

Payton holds multiple records for Eastern including most total offense in a single game, most passing yardage in a single game, most passing attempts and completions in a single game and all of those were just from one game in 1985 against Saginaw Valley.

He also owns the single season records for passes completed, passing yardage and passing attempts.

In addition to those, his career records are still in place for passes completed, and passing yardage.

It was the decision of Athletic Director Barbara Burke and the Eastern administration including President Bill Perry and Dan Nadler, vice president of student affairs, to retire Payton’s No. 18.

The retirement ceremony will take place at halftime of the Sept. 11 football game against Central Arkansas, where Payton will be present.

Rob Warren can be reached at 581-7942 or denphotodesk@gmail.com.