Several current and former New Orleans Saints players as well as NFL family around the league took to social media to offer best wishes and 'Thank You' messages for head coach Sean Payton, who announced on January 25, 2022 that he is stepping away from the team..
The winningest coach in Saints history guided the franchise to a 152-89 regular-season record and nine playoff game victories in 17 tries, including Super Bowl XLIV in 2009, in his 15 seasons as head coach.
Thanks for taking a chance on me @SeanPayton #WalkTogetherForever
— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) January 25, 2022
@SeanPayton @Saints
— Steve Gleason - "Live Impossible" (@SteveGleason) January 26, 2022
I met coach 15 years ago. He thought I was an equipment manager...
Now I consider him my brother. pic.twitter.com/luIjReGKjR
Related Links
- New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton to step away
- Sean Payton, with confidence and swagger, changed the Saints and New Orleans
- Sean Payton steps away from Saints | press conference photos
- Sean Payton farewell press conference | opening statement
- Sean Payton farewell press conference | media Q&A
- Gayle Benson on Sean Payton's tenure | Sean Payton farewell press conference
- Sean Payton: Saints career in Photos
- Walking Together Forever, the story of the 2009 New Orleans Saints
- Saints Podcast presented by SeatGeek on Sean Payton stepping down | January 25, 2022
- New Orleans Saints legend Marques Colston happy that Sean Payton could go out on his terms
- Transcript: Quotes from Sean Payton's closing press conference
- Sean Payton was exactly what the Saints and New Orleans needed, precisely when they needed it
Congratulations coach @SeanPayton on a dope ass career! one of the best to ever do it!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 25, 2022
Coach @SeanPayton appreciate you giving me a another chance to ball! Legendary coach forsure! Wish you nothing but the best in the future !
— Kwon Alexander (@kwon) January 25, 2022
Surprised, saddened but more thankful than anything else for @SeanPayton ! Blessed to be part of the team he assembled in 2006 and 7 of the best yrs of my life followed that trade. New Orleans became home and so many wonderful memories followed. #walktogetherforever#cantonOH
— Scott Shanle (@scottshanle) January 25, 2022
Can’t thank @SeanPayton enough for the opportunity he gave me changed my life. Was fortunate to have 4 of the best years of my life playing ball with you as my head coach
— Justin Hardee Sr. (@jhardee_19) January 25, 2022
coach payton - thank you for the most amazing run... it was an honor to support you during your tenure as head coach - i will forever cherish the time we had with you... we love you, coach payton!!! @Saints @nfl #nfl #seanpayton pic.twitter.com/U4xHHLjLhE
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) January 25, 2022
Great run Sean! You were authentic and did it your way:)
— Morten Andersen (@GreatDane2544) January 25, 2022
Thanks for your friendship and more amazing memories ahead pic.twitter.com/9308M1OoUF
Coach Payton, Thank you SO much for all the great years!! You turned the @Saints into a consistent contender & delivered the first Superbowl in the teams history. You helped revive the city after Katrina. All the best wishes in the next chapter of your life. Much Respect! ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/9HWdlnbJvc
— Willie Roaf (@Willie_Roaf) January 25, 2022
Always admired Sean Payton as one of the best in the league.Loved watching his teams play.Enjoy the excitement of your new venture!
— Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) January 25, 2022
Thank you Coach @SeanPayton for bringing our city to the highest of highs after the lowest of lows. We will never forget Super Bowl XLIV. The energy you put into the @Saints and our city will not be forgotten. Who dat! https://t.co/a65sb2OAlN
— Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu) January 25, 2022
That’s my HC! At the end of the day if Seans stepping away he has a master plan. Nothing but love for you Sean if this is it for you as my Hc then I thank you for drafting me, building phenomenal teams like ‘11 ‘18-21 first off the top of my head. 11 yrs my coach, forever RESPECT https://t.co/LXE2ubFjnN
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) January 25, 2022
The Who Dat Nation made me who I am today! Forever grateful to the fans and the city of New Orleans, will always be a Saints fan at heart⚜️🖤 https://t.co/yCytY7UUjv
— Connor Payton (@ctpayton19) January 25, 2022
Thank you, Coach Payton, for 16 incredible years leading our @Saints through good times and bad. You came to New Orleans at a time when spirits were broken and hope seemed lost, but you gave the city and fans something to rally behind and be proud of. #lagov
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) January 25, 2022
The Who Dat Nation is the best fan base in the world! ⚜️ So thankful for 16 amazing years of memories in NOLA. The city where arms are always open & food is always offered. Thank you for taking our family in. #WhoDat @SeanPayton @Saints pic.twitter.com/8sNkWBzLj1
— Meghan Payton (@meghanpayton7) January 25, 2022
Grateful to have crossed paths with @SeanPayton.
— Jermon Bushrod (@j_bushrod7475) January 25, 2022
Appreciate the patience, vision & belief that he and his @Saints coaching staff had for me when they drafted me out of @TowsonU in 2007.
Hell of a ride, Good luck on your future endeavors #WhoDat #WalkTogetherForever ⚜️
Thank you Sean Payton!
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) January 25, 2022
💛⚜️🏈💥🎉 @saints
Payton delivered the first-ever Super Bowl to the City of New Orleans, and for over 16 years, he made the Saints a force to be reckoned with💯
Thank you, Coach Payton, for all that you did for the WhoDat nation!#WhoDatNation #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/RoQPd3oWea
Some guys get to play in one spot for their career, most play in a few
— Luke McCown (@luke_mccown) January 26, 2022
I played in 5 over 13y, but my favorite stop was my last 4y with @Saints and has everything to do w/ @SeanPayton. From coaching philosophy to mid meeting interruption stories, u made it fun again
Congrats SP!
It’s been one heck of 16-year run for New Orleans & Saints fans everywhere! Thank you @SeanPayton! We’ll never forget what you did for us. You’ll def be missed on the sidelines! From Super Bowls, to broken legs courtesy of Jimmy Graham to wins & losses…. #NOLA #WhoDat #saints pic.twitter.com/QC4rIfuve0
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) January 26, 2022
Shout out to my HOF coach @SeanPayton Your swagger, confidence, teaching, and leadership elevated everyone in the building. Grateful to be drafted by @saints and having achieved greatness in record breaking fashion. Thank you for all the great #Moments&Memories #WhoDat https://t.co/0qllXPaXXZ
— JAHRI EVANS (@J_7TRE_E) January 26, 2022
Thank you @SeanPayton for the opportunity to wear black & gold for 3 years @Saints #HOF #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/m79UHa9W6M
— Michael Mauti (@Michael_Mauti) January 26, 2022
Sometimes talent and ability just needs an opportunity to prove itself. @SeanPayton I’m forever grateful for that opportunity.
— Marques Colston (@MarquesColston) January 26, 2022
The impact of your vision and leadership reaches beyond wins and losses- it helped create a culture that’s unmatched.
Enjoy the other side! Congrats. pic.twitter.com/ny5idIsuqi
What a coach @SeanPayton Forever grateful for the opportunity you gave me.
— Jolonn Dunbar (@JolonnDunbar) January 25, 2022
First I want to say thank you for everything @SeanPayton did for me and my family and you will be missed by the whole WHO DAT nation. I want to thank you for everything you did for this city — you believed in us when nobody did so thank you for that.
— Jarrius Robertson (@Jarrius) January 26, 2022
We love you coach😭🥺😭🥺🤩 pic.twitter.com/iw8Fqqq14J
Sean Payton is a LEGEND don’t ever forget that !
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 26, 2022
Preciate you for keepin that shit ahunnid and givin a kid from Atlanta that wasn’t supposed to be shit a chance. I’ll see you in Idaho in a few weeks. Love ya bra @SeanPayton 💪🏾
— Alvin Kamara (@A_kamara6) January 26, 2022
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play. You are a legend throughout the league but especially here in New Orleans ⚜️ Forever grateful for you ! Love in what you do next 🙏🏽 @SeanPayton
— Marquez Callaway (@CallawayMarquez) January 26, 2022
I want to start the day by thanking Coach Sean Payton for the opportunity! It was for sure a great run, with great memories!! #GoodLuck #WhoDat 🙏🏾💪🏾⚜️
— Pj Williams (@PjWilliams_26) January 26, 2022
@SeanPayton on 5/15/16 - you took a shot on a tryout kid from @FerrisFootball. I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to take part in the culture and pursue my career with the @Saints. My family and I are forever grateful to you and the #WhoDatNation 🙏🏻 #WhoDat - Lamp pic.twitter.com/tpCXhjzLuk
— Jake Lampman (@manwithlamps) January 26, 2022
.@SeanPayton, you told me I could become a better offensive player when I signed with the @saints in year 10 and I did. Thank you for being the incredibly detailed teacher that you are. We don’t know the future but we know who holds it. Walk forward boldly. Congratulations!
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) January 26, 2022
Appreciate this man more than I can express, @SeanPayton wish you well on everything you do going forward! https://t.co/FUjgR9MJqu
— DemarioDavis.eth (@demario__davis) January 26, 2022
@SeanPayton thank you so much for everything man!!!
— T. Stead 🎤🎧 (@T_Armstead72) January 25, 2022
Thank you for coaching me, teaching me, helping me become the man and leader I am today! You literally put New Orleans on your back SP!
Love! ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️
@SeanPayton Thank you bro for the best 5 years I ever had playing the game! The arguments and lessons I learned from ball to not rushing my kids to eat. It was always family and culture that made Nola, Nola. Now go get on TV somewhere so I can call in and argue 🤣 https://t.co/cd8U8zGacx
— Craig Robertson (@C__Robertson) January 25, 2022
. @SeanPayton congratulations on an awesome career! Been an honor playing for you and against you over the years. A true legend of the game. Happy that you get to leave on your own terms ! 👏🏾👏🏾 well done
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) January 26, 2022
@SeanPayton you already know what it is!! Blessings, health, and wealth to you and yours in this next chapter!! I already know you plotting the next play!! Love 🤞🏾💯
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) January 26, 2022
@SeanPayton thank you coach!! For the opportunity to be a part of a phenomenal culture! For the opportunity to grow as a man and a player! New Orleans was always a great place..you made it even better!
— Chris Banjo (@Chris1Banjo) January 26, 2022
Thank you for the countless memories for me and my family! pic.twitter.com/Zi2COGVHNM