Saints' Sean Payton Tests Positive for Coronavirus in NFL's First Confirmed Case

It the was only a matter of time before the NFL followed suit with the NBA and professional baseball in officially having to reckon with the coronavirus pandemic. The day has now arrived, with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton telling ESPN that he has tested positive.

It's the NFL's very first confirmed case of COVID-19.

Payton has the second-longest active tenure of any NFL coach, trailing only Bill Belichick. He's led the Saints for 15 seasons, and has a Super Bowl ring to show for it after so many intense battles.

Now, he's got a new battle to deal with.

The sports world first skidded to a halt when Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert was revealed to have tested positive for the coronavirus, and it wasn't long before baseball was similarly affected. The spread of this sickness is unfortunately widespread, and now that it's touched football, it ought to give the league pause. Public health and safety, despite our desire to cling to any remnant of normalcy in our lives like NFL free agency, absolutely must come first.

We wish the very best to Payton, his family, and the Saints, as they navigate this new challenge.