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Three hats, one photo: Sean Payton's 9/11 memories from his time with the New York Giants

Sean Payton has the hats. There are three of them. He has the photo too. It's from the first game the New York Giants played after the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks.

"Couldn't tell you right now where they're at," the New Orleans Saints coach said.

But he has them.

"I know I have them."

Somewhere.

Easier for the 52-year-old Payton to locate from that day are his memories.

For Payton, like most of us, his 9/11 memories are vivid.

Payton, then a third-year assistant coach under Jim Fassel, landed at Newark Liberty International Airport after a Monday night game in Denver at about 6:30 or 7 a.