Devon Still, Payton talk for first time

Devon Still and Sean Payton chatted Thursday morning on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" show for the first time since the New Orleans Saints coach purchased 100 of the Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle's jerseys from the team's website, proceeds of which went to pediatric cancer research.

Still's 4-year-old daughter, Leah, is battling Stage 4 neuroblastoma, and the story caught Payton's attention when he heard on the radio that the Bengals were donating proceeds of Still's jersey sales, priced at $100 each, to pediatric cancer research.

Payton bought 100 jerseys last week, sized small and medium, and donated them to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Still said recently that jersey sales had surpassed $500,000.

"I just wanted to thank you for really stepping up to help support this cause," Still told Payton. "I'm pretty sure you know how many families and how many children you're helping out with this. And it's just showing the world how it's not all about how competitive you can be on the field, it's about what you can do to help out humanity. And I really appreciate you doing what you did."

Payton responded by telling Still that he has "inspired a ton of people" with his story -- as have Bengals owner Mike Brown and coach Marvin Lewis for supporting Still during a difficult time.

"It just really caught my attention the way they were handling it. And I think it will give other people strength, obviously in a difficult time," Payton said. "I'm a huge fan from afar, [though] I've never met you."

Payton then joked of their teams' Week 11 meeting on the field: "We play you down the road, now, we can't have any sacks on [Drew] Brees."