Broncos coach Sean Payton scolds reporter at news conference after mistaking pencil for cigarette

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton scolded a reporter during Sunday's postgame news conference after thinking the reporter was smoking — only to learn the object in the reporter's hand was a pencil.

Denver had beaten the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday. Payton was discussing the win at the podium when he noticed something in a reporter's hand.

Payton thought the reporter was daring to smoke in the middle of his postgame news conference, and he objected at once. But the reporter was not smoking a cigarette — he was chewing on a Dixon Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil.

Payton looked embarrassed once he realised his mistake. Fortunately, both he and the reporter took the exchange in their stride. Payton could barely finish his answer without bursting into laughter.

Payton's strong stance on smoking has a personal side — his father-in-law died of lung cancer a few years ago. Many therefore saw his reaction as understandable.

The Broncos are in fine form this season. With seven wins from nine games, they lead the competitive AFC West. Less than a year ago, the team reached the AFC Championship game.

Since taking charge in Denver in 2023, Payton has transformed the franchise. The team had not reached the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50 nearly a decade ago; under his no-nonsense discipline and offensive acumen, the Broncos are a legitimate contender again.

The moment has since spread across social media. Payton mistaking a pencil-chewing reporter for a smoker gave Broncos fans something to laugh about alongside the win.