As former New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees gave his speech in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, he spoke about a myriad of aspects of his career, with one part focusing on head coach Sean Payton. With Brees getting the Hall of Fame treatment, he would take the time to talk about his former coach who made an impact on his life.
Both Brees and Payton spent 15 seasons with New Orleans, which included winning a Super Bowl in 2010, as the now Hall of Fame quarterback said on Saturday afternoon that he “always wanted to make you right,” as the coach was in the audience.
“I always wanted to make you right. And I know you trusted me, and that allowed us to be great.”@Drewbrees had a special relationship with his head coach Sean Payton. pic.twitter.com/beiwxnUQwU
— NFL (@NFL) August 8, 2026
Drew Brees explains how “brilliant” Sean Payton is
He went on to share how “brilliant” and “precise” Payton was, going into the trust the coach had in Brees, which led to the former star holding back tears.
“To Sean Payton, I miss our meetings, Coach,” Brees said, via the NFL. “The night before every game, talking through every play, every situation, every matchup in the greatest of detail. I would literally ask Sean, ‘Hey, coach, when do you think you’ll call this play?’”
“He would squint his eyes and purse his lips,” Brees continued. “You know that look. ‘Second quarter, across midfield, probably 47-yard line. Second and 10, left hash, left middle, maybe. They’ll never expect it.’ Precise, instinctive. Coach, you were brilliant. I saw myself as an extension of you on that field. I always had something to prove to you, and I always wanted to make you right. And I know you trusted me and allowed us both to be great.”
While Brees is retired and now in the Hall of Fame, Payton is still in the NFL, currently the head coach of the Denver Broncos, who has high aspirations going into the upcoming season. At any rate, Brees’ illustrious career will officially be immortalized as he is now a Hall of Fame player.
As former New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees gave his speech in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, he spoke about a myriad of aspects of his career, with one part focusing on head coach Sean Payton. With Brees getting the Hall of Fame treatment, he would take the time to talk about his former coach who made an impact on his life.
