Sean Payton Granted Opportunity To Attend NFL Hall Of Fame Weekend For Willie Roaf

The NFL Hall of Fame is adding six new inductees this weekend at the annual Hall of Fame weekend which features a preseason game, the actual ceremonies and the first real festivities that correspond to a new year in the league. Willie Roaf, former New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs great, will be a special part of that ceremony as one of greatest offensive linemen in the history of the game.

Sean Payton, the Saints head coach who was recently banned by the NFL for one full calendar year from any activity related to the league, has apparently won enough favor to at least attend this weekend's ceremonies for Roaf.

Yes, Sean Payton was granted permission by NFL to attend Willie Roaf's HOF induction, ceremony & reception. No Saints game, team hotel, etc

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 3, 2012

The Saints bounty scandal is stil ongoing since Jonathan Vilma's situation has not been resolved. Legal battles could keep it going for quite some time, but Payton's arrival will create a distracting subplot to the weekend that's typically reserved for remembering the best to play in the NFL and nothing more. While it's understandable for Payton to want to be at the event, he's being selfish in trying to make this happen.

NFL Hall Of Fame Weekend: Dick Vermeil Says Willie Roaf Could 'Dominate An All-Pro'

The NFL Hall of Fame is adding one of the greatest offensive linemen of all-time this weekend with the induction of former NFL great Willie Roaf, and that means that quotes will be flying around as various coaches and players remember their peers fondly. Dick Vermeil is the latest and the former Kansas City Chiefs head coach had some strong praise for Roaf.

"I've never been around a lineman that could physically dominate another good NFL defensive lineman or linebacker in the league," Vermeil said. "He could dominate an All-Pro, reducing him to the level of an average player. His explosive moves out of his stance have never been equaled by anyone. His ability to get out into the perimeter with speed and grace and then block a moving target in space was spectacular."

Roaf played several Pro Bowl years with the New Orleans Saints before an injury caused the team to change their stance on him. KC then reaped the benefits of another four Pro Bowl seasons.

For more on Willie Roaf's Hall of Fame weekend, make sure to check out Arrowhead Pride for more details and discussion.

Willie Roaf Says Chiefs Years Were Pivotal To Hall Of Fame Candidacy