Tonight, before America totally absorbed itself in the presidential debate, the NFL did something really cool (for a change). The NFL granted New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees' request to allow currently suspended head coach Sean Payton to attend Sunday night's game against the San Diego Chargers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

In addition to his request allow Payton to attend Sunday night's game, Brees' email to Goodell also requested to have assistant head coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis attend the game as well. That request was granted too.

Sunday's game will be special because Drew Brees needs one touchdown pass to set a new record for the most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass. He is currently tied with the legendary Johnny Unitas at 47 straight games.

Another reason this is significant to Brees is because he was actually drafted by the Chargers, but was shown the door by the team after the 2005 season due to their uncertainty about his injured shoulder. It was Sean Payton who was hired by the Saints in 2006 that decided to take a chance on Brees.

Payton, Vitt, and Loomis all remain suspended, but being that all three have played major parts in Brees reaching this moment, they at least deserve to be in the building to see it with their own eyes.

Well played NFL, well played.

[via ESPN]

More From Hot 107.9