"Free Sean Payton" lovers will be happy for at least one night as the New Orleans Saints head coach will be in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Sunday.
Wednesday night the NFL approved the request and in a statement gave the reason: "Drew Brees requested permission for Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, and Joe Vitt to attend Sunday night's game in which Drew will attempt to set the record of 48 straight games with a touchdown pass. Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has granted that permission. Coaches Payton and Vitt and Mickey Loomis will be permitted to watch the game in a private area of the stadium and will have no contact with the team."
"I am excited for our team and for them," Brees said in a text message to ESPN's Ed Werder. "It adds another element to what we hope to be a very special night."
Payton is currently serving a season long suspension for his role in the bounty scandal while Vitt's six-game suspension ends the Monday following the Tampa Bay game. Loomis is half way through his eight-game suspension.
Payton upon his arrival signed Brees through free agency as the center piece of his offense and the two have broken numerous NFL offensive records.