Drew Brees picked Sean Payton’s return game for Saints Hall of Fame honor

Drew Brees wanted to be added to the Saints Hall of Fame on the night that Sean Payton returned to New Orleans.

When the New Orleans Saints announced earlier this year that Drew Brees was being added to their Hall of Fame, the quarterback was given the choice of picking the game that he would be honored during the 2024 season.

Brees picked a Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos, which marked coach Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans.

Before the game on Thursday, Payton surprised Brees at the QB’s Hall of Fame ceremony in the afternoon. Brees was then honored at halftime of the game in the stadium.

“When the schedule came out, it was the night that he wanted to come in,” Payton said after a 33-10 Broncos win. “They have the Saints Hall of Fame and then they have the Ring of Honor. He was being put in the Hall of Fame. It was good to see him.

“A few of us went over really quick to the Hilton and just thanked him. We were all kind of underdressed in our travel sweats. This is a city that dresses up a lot. It is always good to see him. I feel like I see him quite a bit. He has been to our practices. Anytime you see that whole group even pre-game yapping at us was fun.”

Brees, 45, will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.

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