Panther legend coming to campus
Sean Payton blew away the members of the media at the Athletic Director’s Gala last spring. For different reasons, I could not picture a Super Bowl-winning head coach traveling to Effingham to support his former school. But, Payton did.
Not only was he there, but also he was kind, down-to-earth, honest, willing and accepting.
Every question we asked him, we got a straight answer.
He was not shy. He was excited to be there, excited to help out a school that is so near and dear to his heart. As I recall, the gala was a huge success.
Granted, the only part of it I experienced was the press conference. But I was excited to be there, to be able to say, “Yeah, I talked to Sean Payton – a Super Bowl champion.”
Some will say, “No, you were just in a press conference.”
But it was more than that. When I asked a question, he answered to me. his eyes, on me because I asked the question – not to me and everyone else.
My experience was tremendously memorable, and now I will have an opportunity to do it again Saturday.
After playing a game of, Who Is The Better Eastern Alum That Is A Head Coach In The NFL? last night (Payton & the Saints vs. Brad Childress & the Vikings), Payton will hitch a ride to Charleston to get his jersey retired at halftime of Saturday’s game.
Last season, the athletic department retired Tony Romo’s jersey; this season, Sean Payton’s.
I feel like the campus should be more excited for this year’s jersey retirement because Payton has won a Super Bowl.
He has accomplished so much already in his career.
Many may think that it will be a reunion for Payton and head coach Bob Spoo, but Spoo started his coaching career at Eastern a year after Payton graduated.
But I dug deeper than just an Eastern connection. In Spoo’s playing days, he was a starting quarterback at Purdue. Payton is the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, a team that has a starting quarterback from Purdue (Drew Brees).
Recap: Spoo started quarterback at Purdue. Brees was a starting quarterback at Purdue. Payton now coaches Brees.
Spoo coaches the football program from which Payton broke a bunch of records.
Connect Four!
There is no denying that having Sean Payton on campus is causing a buzz. It is great. Think of the first two weeks of football action this season.
Week one, Eastern played No. 9 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. The media blew up the coverage like crazy.
Week two, Eastern is going to play its first home game.
At halftime, they are retiring a Super Bowl champ’s jersey number from when he played at Eastern. So week two is upon us.
Fans ought to start getting excited for Sean Payton coming this weekend because it is only a one-time thing.
Alex McNamee can be reached
