Coach Payton, a Northshore resident, was definitely up to the challenge as he signed an unspecified number of his books for delighted fans, who were privileged to be in that number after doing their fare share of waiting in line.
“It was our first book signing, and I was just real encouraged with all the people that came out and waited. Barnes & Noble did a great job. It went very smooth. It was exciting. It was good to really get back here and it was the first opportunity for us to sign for so many of these people (fans), who have read the book,” Payton said.
 New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton autographs his book “Home Team” for Covington resident Tony LeMon during Monday’s book signing event at the Mandeville Barnes & Noble Booksellers store. LeMon arrived 24 hours earlier on Sunday evening and waited overnight for the store to open on Monday morning to get his No. 1 wristband. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel) |
Coach Payton, a great orchestrator of X’s and O’s, got a gleam in his eye and said let’s get it done to see if we can put a dent in Drew’s lead.
You could just see the coach’s passion and competitive spirit unfolding.
“Drew and I have exchanged some texts. I believe he has done about 19 or 20 signings for his book. I’ve kind of lost track,” Payton said.
“We’re just kind of dabbling right now with this initial signing.”
Payton talked about the joy he got from the signing event.
“I’d guess and say we were pretty close to 3,000 signatures or somewhere in that vicinity. My hand’s a little sore, but not that bad,” coach Payton said.
When asked if he had the Saints’ trainer waiting at his Mandeville home, he said no. “I won’t have any excuses when I get home. I’ll probably have to bring the garbage out.”
Coach Payton said his wife took their two children shopping for school supplies, while he was doing his thing going through a number of Sharpie’s (nine of them).
At press time Drew Brees’ book was ranked No. 7 on The New York Times bestseller list, while coach Payton’s book came in at No. 12.
Tony LeMon, originally from New Orleans, who has resided in Covington for the last 20 years, held the distinction of being the first person in line to get his two books autographed by coach Payton.
LeMon, a lawyer with a private practice in Covington, decided to get in line Sunday afternoon at 5:30 to wait for his wristband.
“I was the only one in front of the store until about 2 a.m. when the second person arrived,” LeMon said.
He remained in line until 8 Monday morning to get his wristband. “Waiting over night I was beginning to wonder if I was out of my mind or a complete idiot sitting by myself waiting. The store staff saw me Monday morning and said you need to go bath and get a nap before you get back over here,” LeMon added.
“I’m a big, big Saints fan my whole life. My dad (Roberto), who wasn’t from this country (Colombia) would take me to Tulane Stadium and drop me off. I would take my lawn mower cutting money and buy my ticket.”
LeMon said the first book he got signed was going to be donated to the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, which will be auctioned off as a charity item.
“What an honor it is to have a man (Payton) with this kind of courage who came here following the aftermath of Katrina. He showed courage to join the Saints organization and transform it. I believe that New Orleans, this region and the team are so intertwined in their rebirth,” LeMon said.
LeMon said he loved the book.
“The book is incredibly motivational. It’s not just a sports book. When you read the book you understand why this team has been successful. Coach Payton is definitely brilliant,” LeMon said.
David Herting, a 30-year Mandeville resident, originally from Rochester, N. Y., was the second autograph seeker at Monday’s signing.
“It was just the most amazing thing after taking the ride with the Saints and then finally getting to see the coach in person and sign your book. It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Herting said.
“Coach Payton is a very likable guy. He goes out of his way to be down to earth and be one of us. There have been some amazing Saints games I have been to, but to actually be right there in front of coach was a tremendous feeling,” Herting added.
Slidell’s Stephen Gifford said he was appreciative of everything coach Payton did to help the Saints get to and win the Super Bowl.
“To see him giving to other people is a great thing. I wanted him to sign my Super Bowl hat, but he could only sign his book. I’ll work on getting that some other time,” Gifford said.
Gifford, who was attending with his girlfriend Amanda Zimmerman of Slidell, said they watched the Super Bowl in the French Quarter.
Gifford, 29, said he’s been a Saints fan for all of those 29 years. Gifford, a Brother Martin graduate, born and raised in Chalmette, said he moved to Slidell after Hurricane Katrina.
Gifford, an active duty member of the Army National Guard, serves as a training non-commissioned officer with the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond. Gifford has served on two deployments to Iraq (2004 and 2008).
“Coach Payton and the whole team have given so much to the city and the surrounding area. They have given everyone hope. With the season right around the corner, the party has never ended from last season. I’m looking for them to repeat,” Gifford added.
Zimmerman, a 2006 Northshore High grad, said she loves the Saints, but did admit that she jumped on the bandwagon during the Super Bowl run.
Mandeville 10 year-old Peyton Maxted, a fifth grader at Mandeville Middle School, said the coach asked him his name.
“We didn’t have a lot of time to talk, but it’s good having his autograph. I think coach Payton is a great coach. He’s the best,” Maxted said.
Maxted decked out in his Darren Sharper No. 42 jersey named the defensive safety as his favorite Saint.
Maxted attended the signing with his younger brother Logan (8), who said tight end Jeremy Shockey as his top Saint. The Maxted boys attended the signing with their grandmother Diane Martin of Mandeville.
“I just had to bring them. I loved the book. It made me laugh a lot of times and smile. I love the coach and I think he is a very good person,” Martin said.
Slidell’s Jeff Laporte, who graduated from St. Paul’s in 1980, talked about chatting with Payton.
“Coach thanked me for waiting in line and I thanked him for winning the trophy (Lombardi trophy). Coach said we are going to try and get another one,” Laporte said.
Laporte said it was a dream come true getting coach’s autograph.
“My dad (Leroy) was a season ticket holder from day one. I grew up going to Saints games. We waited a long time for the championship,” Laporte added.
Laporte said he and his family won the Saints Super Bowl lottery and got tickets.
Laporte summed up his family’s trip to Super Bowl XLIV as being an unbelievable experience.
“My wife (Jackie) and I, my brother and his wife and my mom and dad went. Sitting there before the game started was like living a dream. I couldn’t believe I was at the Super Bowl and I couldn’t believe the Saints were in the Super Bowl,” Laporte said.
Teresa Henderson, originally from Houma, now lives in Mandeville.
“My family has been die hard Saints fans from day one. It’s always been a huge family thing, especially with my mamma (Diane-deceased), the biggest Saints fan to walk in heaven right now. My mom told a local priest that she would go to church everyday for two weeks if the Saints would win,” Henderson said.
Henderson was attired in her Saints’ earrings (1982 vintage) and was wearing her original Saints Who Dat sweatshirt tied around her waste, which she purchased from the A & P Grocery Store in Houma, which is no longer in business.
“Coach Payton is a sweet man and thank God he pulled the whole team together. He shows nothing but genuine honesty and concern for everyone,” Henderson said.
Henderson said she decided not to wear her Saints wool socks, which she left in the car.
Eleven year-old Andrew Newberry, a sixth grader at Christ Episcopal, said it was great getting coach’s signature.
“I can’t wait to read the book. I think he is a really good coach,” Newberry said.
Newberry named Drew Brees as his favorite player and also said he likes Mike McKenzie on defense. Newberry’s younger brother, Callum, a first grader, called coach Payton a good guy.
“I loved him to sign my book.”
The Newberry boys are the sons of Derek and Elaine Newberry, originally from Scotland, who moved to Mandeville six years ago.
Jeanne Betbeze of Mandeville brought her three children Christian, Austin and daughter Shelby along. Shelby was celebrating her 5th birthday.
Betbeze said her son Austin left one of the autographed books on a shelf and that caused some drama.
“We retrieved the book and then Shelby misplaced her favorite pink frog (stuffed animal) and we spent an hour looking for the frog. Shelby was really happy when she got a Happy Birthday wish from coach Payton. He’s a wonderful man. He was very sweet to her and it was worth waiting in line,” Betbeze said.
“It was a wonderful family outing and we had a great time. We spent some time in the kids section and they got to read books so it was fun.”
Mandeville Barnes & Noble Booksellers store manager Christy Casey said it was a wonderful event.
“He spent as much time as he could with the customers. They really appreciated the time he took,” Casey said.
“We had one customer (LeMon) arrive around 5:30 Sunday night. After getting his wristband the next morning he went home and then came back. When he returned we kind of rallied around him to make sure he was first in line,“ Casey said
The store issued approximately 500 wristbands and it was estimated that around 1,500 customers showed up to the event. Autograph seekers were limited to having two books signed.
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Paul Harris wrote on Jul 28, 2010 12:30 PM:
Paul Harris
Author, "Diary From the Dome, Reflections on Fear and Privilege During Katrina" "