Sean Payton is a former American football player and current head coach of the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). He began his football career as a quarterback at Naperville Central High School in Illinois, where he led his team to a state championship in 1983. Payton then went on to play college football at Eastern Illinois University, where he set several passing records and was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1986.
After college, Payton signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1987 but was released before the start of the regular season. He then played briefly for the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League before beginning his coaching career as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University in 1988.
Payton's first NFL coaching job came in 1997 when he was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. He then spent time as an assistant coach for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys before being hired as the head coach of the Saints in 2006.
Under Payton's leadership, the Saints have become one of the most successful teams in the NFL. In his first season as head coach, he led the team to the NFC Championship game and was named the NFL Coach of the Year. In 2009, Payton led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. He was again named the NFL Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Payton has also been recognized for his offensive coaching abilities, as the Saints have consistently been one of the highest-scoring teams in the league during his tenure. He has developed a reputation for being an innovative play-caller and has helped to revolutionize the use of the passing game in the NFL.
Off the field, Payton has been involved in several charitable endeavors, including the creation of the Play It Forward Foundation, which provides assistance to families of children with life-threatening illnesses. He has also been a vocal advocate for concussion awareness and player safety in the NFL.
Overall, Sean Payton's football career has been marked by success both as a player and a coach. He has established himself as one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and has helped to shape the way the game is played today.
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