Saints Coach Sean Payton Fined $15k for Ref Comments

For the second straight week, naysayers were claiming the Denver Broncos were lucky (or even deceitful) to have the referees on their side in their nail-biting victories against the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Now the NFL is taking a stand against such comments made by people on their payroll.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has been fined $15,000 for the following comments he made following Sunday’s 34-32 victory:

“There are some things that are frustrating about the game that don’t sit well. When you guys take a peek at the television copy and I see a no-call, that’s that much of a violation, I have a hard time swallowing that, because at some point there’s a decision made to say I’m just not throwing the flag. At least that’s how it appears to me. It’s not a judgment call. You’re either offsides or you’re not. I have a problem with that.”

Some people are actually confused at the fine. I don’t see how you can misconstrue what Payton said. Unlike the comments made at Ed Hochuli after the Broncos’ controversial win over the Chargers (in which we maintain the Broncos deserved to win), these comments Payton made are a stone’s throw from blatantly accusing refs of being dirty.

Chargers Coach Norv Turner said Hochuli’s failure was “unacceptable.” Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said Hochuli needs to keep the whistle out of his mouth. Neither are insinuating as strongly that the ref deliberately made a bad call. Payton did. “…I see a no-call, that’s that much of a violation, I have a hard time swallowing that, because at some point there’s a decision made to say I’m just not throwing the flag.”

Payton absolutely questioned the integrity of the refs for those comments and got what he was coming to him. I’m beyond tired of hearing multi-millionaires – guys who are leading professional football teams – whine about circumstance. Shut up and win the game next time.