EOSB
It has been a crazy 48 hours in Saintsland.
First head coach Sean Payton was rumored to be moving to Dallas to become the Cowboys' general manger.
But that was refuted in a Super Bowl night statement from the Saints' vice president of communications.
Then, Monday morning, ESPNDallas.com reported that the Payton family would be purchasing a house in the prestigious and exclusive Vaquero Club. In that report, Ed Werder said Payton estimated commute time on a plane to be '90 minutes door to door from his office at the Saints complex to the family's new home.'
And then NewOrleans.com posted a story saying where the Payton children will be enrolled when they moved, which the report said is expected to be within the next month.
Yet, there wasn't any word from Payton himself or anybody speaking on his behalf.
Until now.
The executive director of Payton's Play It Forward Foundation, Karen Hegner, posted a statement on the foundation's Facebook page saying that Payton and his family adore Dallas and know that's where they want to settle.
It also says that Payton's heart is still with the city of New Orleans.
Here's the statement:
'The Payton's are still connected to the city and its people and will have a residence in NOLA as well.. All of us have a place in our hearts that we want to retire in. For them it's Dallas. With a daughter getting ready to go into high school this was the time to make that decision. They have been there for that city and donated over 1.2 million to help and will continue to. Hope everyone will come to support their family decision and dreams and just be appreciative for what they do. I know their hearts and it is frustrating to hear people judging them on what they don't know. Home Team is an incredible book about the journey ALL of you have been through and his heart for that city and that team is not diminished by a move.'
The team is expected to release a statement this afternoon.
Nevertheless, the damage seems to already have been done. As Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune wrote today, the move leaves Payton open for criticism.
--Bradley Handwerger
