Broncos coach Sean Payton is making his players jealous with exclusive Jordan shoes
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton's shoe deal is making his new players jealous.
Payton, who according to the Denver Post signed with Jordan Brand in 2020, has been wearing Jordan shoes to Bronco practices and around the team facility, often wearing models that aren't available for purchase.
“(Payton) brags about it a little bit, (saying) ‘You haven’t seen these in stores yet,’” cornerback Pat Surtain II told The Denver Post. “Every day he’s showing off new shoes.”
According to the Post, Payton will be wearing a pair of Jordan shoes this season in Denver's colors. While the shoes won't be a signature model, they will not be available in stores.
Payton became Denver's head coach in January after he spent last season as an analyst for FOX Sports. He had previously been the coach of the New Orleans Saints, winning Super Bowl 44 following the 2009 season. Since he has taken the job in Denver, Payton made waves for criticizing the job that previous Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett did in coaching quarterback Russell Wilson.
Payton's deal with Jordan Brand started after Michael Jordan himself noticed that Payton was wearing the shoes during Saints games. According to the Denver Post, Jordan invited Payton to his private golf course in Jupiter, Florida. After the two met and talked, Payton said that Jordan floated the idea of Payton becoming a brand ambassador.
“He said, ‘I noticed you are always wearing Jordan 11s, and I’m going to make you the first Jordan Brand coach,’ ” Payton told The Denver Post.
As part of the deal, Payton receives several different shoes and said he now has hundreds of Jordan shoes.
“I filled out the information and got more Jordan gear and shoes that are still coming,” Payton said. “Fortunately for me, my son wears the same size because I can’t possibly wear all these shoes.”
Payton, 59, was born in San Mateo, California but grew up in the Chicago area, where Jordan starred for the Bulls. Payton eventually played quarterback at Naperville Central High School, a western suburb of the city and then played at Eastern Illinois.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Broncos' Sean Payton making his players jealous with exclusive Jordans
