New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton believer in juju of Juicy Fruit

SmashMouth · 09-02-2010, 05:44 AM

NASHVILLE, TENN. - When New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton arrives at LP Field for Thursday night's exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans, three things will be laid out neatly on the desk in his office:

The red flag he'll use to challenge officials' calls.
Two neat stacks of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum.
Each stack will contain five sticks, one for each drive of each half. Payton will not take the field until he has stashed the sticks into his pocket. He breaks out a new stick to start each offensive series. If the Saints enjoy more than five drives in a half or the game goes into overtime, the equipment staff keeps a reserve supply in a tray behind the bench.
The Juicy Fruit is Payton's lone game-day superstition, and for him, it's every bit as important as the play sheet.
Although he scoffed at the notion that the Saints might have been a team of destiny last season, he's a devout believer in the juju of the Juicy Fruit.
And every Saints coach, player and staffer can attest, hell hath no fury like 'Fruit'-less Payton on the sideline.
"It's become a part of my game-day routine going back to Dallas, " Payton said.
Head equipment manager Dan "Chief" Simmons is responsible for setting up the pregame ration.
The in-game duty has fallen on the shoulders of assistant equipment manager John Baumgartner since he joined the club in 2007. "Bum" learned the hard way about Payton's obsession in the NFC championship game last season.

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09-02-2010, 05:44 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 37,180 Blog Entries: 29	New Orleans Saints' Sean Payton believer in juju of Juicy Fruit NASHVILLE, TENN. - When New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton arrives at LP Field for Thursday night's exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans, three things will be laid out neatly on the desk in his office: The red flag he'll use to challenge officials' calls. Two neat stacks of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum. Each stack will contain five sticks, one for each drive of each half. Payton will not take the field until he has stashed the sticks into his pocket. He breaks out a new stick to start each offensive series. If the Saints enjoy more than five drives in a half or the game goes into overtime, the equipment staff keeps a reserve supply in a tray behind the bench. The Juicy Fruit is Payton's lone game-day superstition, and for him, it's every bit as important as the play sheet. Although he scoffed at the notion that the Saints might have been a team of destiny last season, he's a devout believer in the juju of the Juicy Fruit. And every Saints coach, player and staffer can attest, hell hath no fury like 'Fruit'-less Payton on the sideline. "It's become a part of my game-day routine going back to Dallas, " Payton said. Head equipment manager Dan "Chief" Simmons is responsible for setting up the pregame ration. The in-game duty has fallen on the shoulders of assistant equipment manager John Baumgartner since he joined the club in 2007. "Bum" learned the hard way about Payton's obsession in the NFC championship game last season. read more Attached Thumbnails