SEATTLE — A pregame chat between Denver coach Sean Payton and a familiar face from his television days became one of the most talked-about moments of Thursday night, and it had nothing to do with football.
As Charissa Thompson, the studio host for the Thursday night streaming broadcast, wrapped up her interview with Payton before Denver played the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 15, the 62-year-old coach drew the 44-year-old host in and planted a kiss on her cheek. The clip spread quickly online, with many viewers calling the exchange strange and some wondering if it was meant to air at all.
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The two have history. Payton spent 2022 as a television studio analyst alongside Thompson after leaving the New Orleans Saints, where he coached for 15 seasons, and he took the Denver job the following year. Neither appeared bothered by the moment.
The football part of the interview centered on Denver's offense. Payton had taken back play-calling from offensive coordinator Davis Webb and talked about attacking a tough Seattle defense and getting quarterback Bo Nix back on track.
Whatever the optics, the night ended well for Payton. Denver went on to beat Seattle 17-14 in overtime.
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