Eastern Ill. plans to retire Payton's No. 18

CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois University will retire the No. 18 worn by New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton when he was a Panther quarterback.

Payton quarterbacked Eastern from 1983 to 1986. He led the Panthers to the NCAA I-AA quarterfinals in 1986 and finished as the school's leader in total offense with 10,298 yards.

Payton coached the Saints to last season's Super Bowl title.

The school plans to retire the number at its home opener on Sept. 11 against Central Arkansas.