New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has reportedly been “cleared” by doctors a less than a week after testing positive for coronavirus.

Payton–who had been feeling symptoms as early as March 15–spoke about his improved condition on WWL radio (via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk):

Saints coach Sean Payton, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, said doctors “cleared” him Tuesday.

“I’m feeling a lot better,” Payton said on WWL Radio on Wednesday, via Jeff Duncan of TheAthletic.com.

Payton iterated the illness does not discriminate while also responding to some criticisms of a public appearance he made in Arkansas shortly before showing symptoms:

Article Continues Below
More New Orleans Saints News
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium.
Saints’ Derek Carr shares eye-opening reason for turning down $30 millionTroy Finnegan ·
New Saints head coach Kellen Moore has Bryan Bresee and other gems on his first New Orleans team.
3 New Orleans Saints hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowLorenzo J Reyna ·
Mystery player in the middle, Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara around him, Saints logo in the background
1 New Orleans Saints rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampEnzo Flojo ·
Tyler Shough in the middle, Derek Carr and Coach Kellen Moore around him, Stormy skies in the background
New Orleans Saints’ riskiest move in 2025 NFL offseasonEnzo Flojo ·
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) shakes hands with a Miami Dolphins player after the game at MetLife Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers brutally shoots down ever playing with SaintsBenjamin Adducchio ·
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) looks on against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
Potential Derek Carr replacement suffers injury at Saints practiceBen Strauss ·

“Prince Charles caught it today, right?” Payton said. “It doesn’t matter if you live in a castle or an apartment. No one is too immune to it.”

“Hey, if I would have known I had this [COVID-19], I wouldn’t have been at the races,” Payton said. “And I had [flu-like] symptoms, so I was eligible for the test.”

The Super Bowl-winning head coach has shown a greater sense of urgency in raising public awareness and alerting citizens to the dangers of coronavirus since he first contracted the illness.

Payton said he hoped to use his own case and platform to try to connect and motivate those who might otherwise not be taking the threat as seriously as they should.

Of course, Payton and other athletic personnel have been fortunate enough to have access to testing. Still, it is invaluable that they have tried to use their voices to end the spread.