NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 20: New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton prepares for his NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
After a six-month investigation into alleged molestation and tanking allegations involving the Miami Dolphins, the NFL saw it appropriate to impose discipline on the team for communications with both Sean Payton and Tom Brady.
According to the league via ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
[Discussions with Sean Payton] This happened before Coach Peyton announced his decision to retire as head coach of the Saints. Following that announcement, Miami first asked for permission to speak to Coach Peyton, which New Orleans declined.
The NFL world reacted to Peyton-related news on social media.
MMQB’s Albert Breyer tweeted, “NFL concludes… Miami spoke with Sean Payton’s agent without Saints’ consent.”
Saints reporter Nick Underhill shared, “Dolphins were punished for having inappropriate contact with Sean Peyton.”
“The Dolphins went through all this tinkering, tanking and overall rule-breaking and still didn’t land Tom Brady or Sean Peyton. It’s hysterical. How do you fail that bad at cheating the system?!” Ashley asked Nicole Moss.
Warren Sharp tweeted, “The suspension for Stephen Ross trying to persuade Tom Brady and Sean Peyton to come to Miami is exactly one day longer than Deshaun Watson’s suspension for 24 counts of sexual assault or harassment.”
Several draft picks have been taken from the Dolphins and Miami owner Stephen Ross has been suspended.