Tom Benson Replies to the Times-Picayune
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Re: “Cut the cutesy stuff,” Our Opinions, Dec. 4.
I am writing to express my disappointment regarding Tuesday’s editorial about Coach Sean Payton. Sean has done a wonderful job as our head coach and has been an exemplary leader in raising the collective spirits of this city through the play of our team and by participating in many civic and charitable events. If this article appeared in a football context, it would be penalized for at least a “late hit,” “block in the back,” and “unsportsmanlike conduct.”
I am shocked that you would use your valued editorial space to lambaste our head coach based on one play. Do the math. Sean has coached our team for 30 games since we hired him in 2006. These are the same plays that have defined his success in 2006 and 2007 and the same plays that your newspaper has deemed genius. He has called more than 2,000 offensive plays, many of which your newspaper celebrates. He makes a decision in one game that our players are trained to execute and do not, but yet your newspaper vilifies him in the same editorial section reserved for the most corrupt of the corrupt who pollute our city.
We are proud of Sean Payton for what he stands for and what he does for our team and this city. I am disappointed your newspaper does not feel the same way.
Tom Benson
Owner
New Orleans Saints
Metairie
We’ll hear about this later from Mr. Benson when he tries to move the team again as proof that the city does not support the team. I love Sean Payton, but as a head coach, you are going to get scrutinized and criticized when you screw up. Shut up, Tom Benson.
too little. too late.
I loved that he was “shocked.”