Next, Locusts
Worst year ever? A peek at the tortured life of Saints coach Sean Payton
Sean Payton has seen better times.RedDogReport.com
Payton celebrates during the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl Victory Parade onCanal Street Feb. 9, 2010.Photo by Derek Bridges/Wiki
Beth and Sean PaytonNews444.com
Sean Payton's year has gone from bad to worse.
First it was a job, now it is his family.
The New Orleans Saints coach, already suspended for the upcoming season for his participation in Bountygate, filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 20 years. Then, Beth Payton filed her own divorce petition within weeks.
His contract also stipulates that he supervise all actions taken by his assistants, making him responsible for everything his assistant coaches do.
Only the initials of Payton (PSP) and his wife, Beth (BAP), are used in the divorce filings — with the intent of giving the family some privacy. Mission failed.
Sean Payton filed the petition on June 14 in Tarrant County only 25 days before the couple's anniversary. The petition cites, "discord or conflict of personalities between Petitioner and Respondent" that "prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.” The two had been separated for a period of time prior to the filing of the documents.
Payton requested that the two have joint custody of their two children — Meghan, 15, and Connor, 12.
Beth Payton filed a counter petition in which she requested the exclusive rights to make decisions regarding the legal, educational and medical interests of the couple’s two children. In the counter petition, Beth Payton also asks that Payton pay child support to her.
This all comes a little over three months after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Payton for the season for his alleged involvement in a program that was paying Saints players to purposefully injure opposing players.
Although there is no evidence proving that Payton had a part in founding the system, his attempted cover up and refusal to shut down the program proved to be his undoing. His contract also stipulates that he supervise all actions taken by his assistants, making him responsible for everything his assistant coaches do. Payton’s attempt to appeal the decision failed, and his suspension is already underway — effective until the end of this year’s Super Bowl contest (which will be played in New Orleans).
Not only has Sean Payton now lost his job and his wife — the terms of the suspension also cause him to lose $5.8 million in salary.
This clearly has not been Payton’s year, but Saints fans are still hoping that quarterback Drew Brees’ contract issues will be resolved and that they will still somehow be able to compete for the big game held in their city.
