Eastern alum Sean Payton will still be receiving his honorary degree, despite having been suspended by the NFL for the 2012 season, according to Board of Trustees chairperson Dr. Robert Webb.

Payton was one of four selected and approved by the Board of Trustees to receive an honorary doctorate earlier this month.

Shortly after, Payton was suspended for the 2012 season by the NFL for his involvement in the New Orleans Saints’ player-bounty scandal, in which players were paid upwards of $1,500 for knocking key opposing players out of the game with vicious hits.

“The Board of Trustees does not have any information other than what has been made public,” Webb said.

Webb did also say he and other members of the board were aware of staff editorials published in The News, urging the board to reconsider its decision to award Payton the degree.

Payton was set to receive his honorary degree sometime in 2013, depending on when he and the university could coordinate schedules, Webb said.

Webb said the Board of Trustees has not spoken any further about rescinding Payton’s honorary degree.

“We haven’t had any further discussions,” he said.

Webb said there has been no recommendation made to the board by the committee who nominated Payton to reconsider the award.

Webb also said the board has not made any decisions on Payton’s honorary degree since the issue surrounding Payton has not been fully resolved.

Payton has until April 1 to appeal his one-year suspension to the NFL. Payton has yet to appeal.

“I’m appreciative of the opportunity to appeal,” Payton told ESPN. “I don’t know if there would be a benefit.”

Payton has no plans to appeal, Webb said the board has no plans to discuss the matter any further.

“The board doesn’t plan to have any immediate discussion about it,” he said. “It isn’t on any agenda to discuss it at any meeting,” he said.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7942 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.