ESPN sends shocking message on Bo Nix's infamous sideline moment with Sean Payton

ESPN's Jeff Legwold shared a shocking admission on Bo Nix: his infamous sideline spat with Sean Payton in an eventual win against the Las Vegas Raiders earned the Denver Broncos head coach's respect.

That spat led to a surge up the standings for a team that hasn't gone to the postseason since Barack Obama's administration.

"Those who know Payton say that Nix earned trust when he was more than willing to engage in a heated sideline exchange with his coach during the Broncos' Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders," Legwold reported.

Legwold was relaying what he was told. But even by reporting positively on something that probably wouldn't fly for Shedeur Sanders next season or Cam Newton ever, ESPN is essentially going all in a positive narrative around Nix.

In short time, he's now become a media darling in the pros.

Bo Nix escaped scrutiny at Auburn, transformation in Oregon to become Broncos' savior

Nix left Auburn a miserable man who never got what he thought he'd find on the Plains. He found what he was looking for at Oregon, but the Ducks lost critical Pac-12 games against Washington in 2023 and couldn't overcome a 2022 injury to be successful during his first season in Eugene.

Even though Nix is new to the NFL, he's not new to high-stakes football. His final three years took place with NIL paychecks funneling in. He lived through the COVID-19 pandemic upending college sports, particularly practices. He had a different offensive coordinator every season, though he had Kenny Dillingham twice, his freshman year at Auburn and his fourth year at Oregon.

Nix has lived a college football life with great mileage. He was always going to be more NFL-ready than most in his draft class given the ups and downs he went through.

Now in the Mile High City, he has the keys to Broncos' fans hearts in his hands. If he can finish the job and get Denver to the postseason, he'll have them on lock indefinitely.