Sean Payton attending Hall ceremony

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Suspended New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is in Canton, Ohio, after receiving permission from the NFL to attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony and reception.

The Saints play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night, but Payton can't attend the game, stay in the team hotel or have football-related interaction with his team.

Payton is there to honor former Seattle defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, who now works as a Saints adviser. Earlier, ESPN reported that Payton was cleared to attend to honor Saints tackle Willie Roaf.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson granted permission for Payton to attend the induction with the aforementioned conditions attached after the coach made the request, league spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed.

The first opportunity for the Saints to have social interaction with Payton will occur at Friday night's Hall of Fame ceremony honoring Roaf, among other inductees. Payton is scheduled to sit at Roaf's table.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is aware that Anderson, who is assigned to oversee Payton's yearlong suspension because of the team's bounty program, granted the exception after a consultation.

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Chris Mortensen

NFL reporter

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• ESPN Senior NFL Analyst
• Joined ESPN in 1991
• Has covered every Super Bowl since 1979