Payton only the latest example of sideline dangers

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton uses a crutch to get up as he leaves a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Metairie, La., Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. This Payton's first event since breaking his left leg on the sidelines during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

By Brett Martel

AP Sports Writer / October 20, 2011

E-mail|
Print|

Text size – +

NEW ORLEANS—Sean Payton played quarterback through high school, college and even as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike.

Yet it wasn't until he was wearing a headset, not a helmet, and holding a flip card, not a football, that he was seriously hurt during a game.

Other coaches say the injury is only the latest example of sideline dangers and that they've absorbed hard hits of their own, even if they weren't always injured.

After surgery on his left leg, which was broken when he was caught in a tackle along the sideline last Sunday in Tampa Bay, Payton is back monitoring practice from a golf cart and getting around Saints headquarters on crutches.

Payton says he'll coach from the booth when the Saints host Indianapolis on Sunday night.