Sean Payton incorrectly calls out reporter in awkward moment

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Sean Payton incorrectly calls out reporter in awkward moment

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Nov 8, 2026 5:17 PM ET

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton incorrectly called out a reporter in an awkward moment following his team’s 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Payton was not happy with an unidentified reporter at the start of his press conference. The Broncos coach thought the journalist was smoking a cigarette during his media availability, and decided to say something about it.

Unfortunately, Payton failed to notice that the reporter was just using a pencil.

“Can we not smoke in here, please?” Payton asked. “Oh, you’re not smoking. You’ve got a pencil. I’m sorry. I thought you were smoking. I just had a flashback thinking, ‘Who’s smoking a cigarette?’ I’m sorry.”

#Broncos HC Sean Payton paused his press conference because he thought a reporter was smoking… “Could we not smoke in here?” The reporter had a pencil in his mouth. https://t.co/FUhLkjIl5h
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 8, 2026

Kudos to Payton for thinking about everyone’s health, perhaps. It wasn’t necessary, and he looked pretty embarrassed when he realized what was actually happening, but he was able to laugh about it eventually.

Payton can be a little bit grouchy at times, though he had no reason to be here. His team overcame a challenge from the Panthers to improve to 7-2 on the season.

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