Nothing replaces a good old friendship. Even when you have different interests or divergent careers. This has been the case for NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and NFL coach and former quarterback, Sean Payton. Though both represent two different sports, their bond revolves around good humor and companionship on the golf course. Both of them have always stood beside each other through thick and thin. In fact, Gretzky is a fantastic friend.
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Payton is indeed thankful to The Great One for inspiring him when the former coach felt numb. This is about the time when Payton decided to stand aside as a coach and got an encouraging text from his Canadian friend.
Wayne Gretzky, as an old buddy to his NFL coach friend
As per the reports of USA Today, Payton got a text message on his phone while returning from his last match as an instructor for the New Orleans Saints. There’s a note from Gretzky, who cheered up his old buddy. The message concluded with, “…That was the best job of coaching I’ve ever seen.” Indeed, this came from the Great One at the right time. While describing their friendship, he said, “He’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,”
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WAYNE GRETZKY at the Garnet Ace Bailey memorial, The Canadian Residence, Hancock Park, 10-03-01 , 11632366.jpg, male, brunette, shorthair, blonde, waving, jacket, brown, leather, popular, fame,
It moved Gretzky to see how dedicated Payton was to his job, while his team ultimately faced defeat after staying in the playoffs, winning four out of five games. “That meant a lot, coming from a guy like him,…He’s seen a lot”, told Payton to the reporters while sharing how sentimental he got after reading that message. And the Great Gretzky added, “He’s a special man, a really good person,…And we all love sports, right? He follows hockey and baseball. I follow baseball and football. And so, we have this karma … this real camaraderie.”
The two legends are not only friends but also neighbors and golf companions. Interestingly, Payton and his wife, Skylene, have their offseason gateway in an exclusive golf and lake community in Northern Idaho, just beside the vacation home of Gretzky and his wife Janet. There’s also a mansion in Arizona where the Great One throws huge parties to celebrate with his friends.
Gretzky, being a guy’s guy
In “The Pat McAfee Show”, Paul Bissonnette, the TNT co-host of Gretzky once talked about how he still has the tenacity to party late at night. “This guy is the biggest guy’s guy. He will crush beers. He will tell me all these iconic stories. Buddy, it’s a dream come true…”, shared Bissonnette.
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EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 15: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Los Angeles Kings talks to the media after he scored his 1851st career NHL point against the Edmonton Oilers on October 15, 1989 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Remembering the good old days, Bissonnette also shared how partying was like their family tradition for a long time. Whether he is on TV, or on a golf course, Gretzky has a strong presence when it comes to doing something for his friends.
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Anupama Ghosh