Sean Payton Divorce: 'Conflict of Personalities' Ends 20 Year Marriage
Saints coach Sean Payton has filed for divorce from his wife, Beth Payton, after nearly 20 years of marriage.
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune the divorce filing was submitted on June 14, less than a month before the couple was due to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.
The documents attempted to keep the identity of the couple secret by using initials; PSP for Sean, and BAP for Beth. The filing cites as the grounds for the divorce: "discord or conflict of personalities between Petitioner and Respondent that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship."
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It is believed that Sean has already moved out from the marital home in Texas, which is also the residence for the couple's two children. Sean allegedly is seeking to gain joint custody of the children, however, other reports have stated that Beth has filed a counter petition requesting the court to only grant Sean specified scheduled time "as necessary to protect the health and well-being of the children."
Payton is currently subject to a year long suspension by the NFL in relation to the Saints' bounty system - the controversial "pay to injure" program allegedly run by the team.
The couple's Dallas residence was only purchased in early 2011. He and his family relocated there even though he was still Saints' head coach - a decision that upset some Saints fans. At the time Payton stated, "When my wife and I relocated our family from Dallas, we had always dreamed of someday settling there. We feel that now is the best time to do this. It's a decision that I'm sure many families have to confront, and I don't know if there is any one right or wrong decision -- just the best one you can make for your own family."
Payton was suspended on April 16 and he will remain suspended until the 2012 Super Bowl, which is scheduled to take place in New Orleans. Until then Payton is banned from having any type of conversations with anyone on any NFL team without notifying the league office prior to the contact.
