Sean Payton showed his age by banning ‘Gilligan hats’ from the Broncos’ preseason sideline

What the heck is a Gilligan hat?

Sean Payton has been around the block enough to understand what the NFL preseason is supposed to mean to a team. These are opportunities for tune-ups to show sharpness at the moment and work out any potential kinks before the regular season. They are glorified and televised dress rehearsals for the real show, nothing more.

Evidently, they are also paths head coaching veterans use to make outdated references no one under the age of 60 would remotely understand.

On Monday, Payton was asked about his goals for the Broncos’ upcoming preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He first went through the standard cliche procedure about limiting “mental errors” and everyone playing at full speed while understanding their responsibilities, yadda, yadda, yadda. Then, he pivoted to what he didn’t want to see from his players.

In an answer that can be best summed up as “I hope for professionalism” from my team, Payton said he doesn’t want to see guys wearing “Gilligan hats.” Hmm. Dear reader, I had the same reaction you are having right now: What on earth is a Gilligan hat???

As it turns out (and as Google tells me), a Gilligan hat is a fancy and completely unnecessary label for a “bucket” hat — a summer staple to keep your head and face cool. Chances are, you’ve probably worn one yourself while at the beach, camping, fishing, or what have you. Even still, no one I know (and I’m not even 30), regardless of age, calls bucket hats Gilligan hats.

Well, except Payton, but I don’t really know, Payton, you know?

This is nothing to write home about that will actually impact the Broncos’ 2023 season. I just find it fascinating Payton would use the term “Gilligan hat,” seeing as how he’s only … 59 years old.

But hey: Moving to Colorado does tend to change a person’s heart.