After being infected with coronavirus himself in March, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is hoping his plasma can help others.

Payton donated convalescent plasma at the Blood Center on Monday, and personnel at the facility said Payton's plasma will go to a local person in need.

"Until there's a vaccine for it, this allows us to do something we think can help," Payton told reporters while sitting in the donation chair. "... Hopefully that plasma can help someone who's been affected maybe in a much more grave way."

Report: Saints coach Sean Payton donates $100K to New Orleans food bank; 'It's an easy decision' Sean Payton is the latest member of the New Orleans Saints to step up with a big donation to aid Louisiana in its fight against the novel coro…

Convalescent plasma from recovered coronavirus patients is being accepted at many donation sites across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Some recovered patients are donating plasma because of the antibodies that are in their blood. Those antibodies are proteins that might help others fight off the infection, but it's not yet known how much the plasma will help, if at all, the CDC's website says.

There is some criteria that patients must meet before donating plasma. According to the CDC, patients must have a prior diagnosis and be symptom-free for at least 28 days.

More than 70K New Orleans homes tuned in to Saints 'Domecoming' re-run, ratings show Just over 70,000 screaming fans crammed into what was then the Louisiana Superdome on Sept. 25, 2006 as the Saints marched in for their "Domec…

Payton was diagnosed with coronavirus on March 19 — back when Louisiana had just 392 cases of COVID-19. As of April 20, Louisiana now has more than 25,000 cases.

The symptoms Payton had, he said, were flu-like. Payton had the chills, a low-grade fever and body aches, never feeling any of the respiratory symptoms that are commonly associated with COVID-19.

"My understanding now is, (I have) a hard chance to get it again, and a zero chance to give it," Payton said in early April.

Payton said back in late March that he wanted to do something for others battling the virus, like give a blood transfusion or donate plasma, but he was waiting to hear what the protocol was.

Payton was the first person within active NFL circles to test positive for the coronavirus. Since his diagnosis, two players have publicly confirmed their positive tests as well.

Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen tested positive for COVID-19 on April 15, and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller came forward regarding his diagnosis on April 16.

Several former NFL players, including Saints legend Tom Dempsey, have been diagnosed with the virus as well. Dempsey, 73, lost his battle with COVID-19 on April 4 while living at the coronavirus-stricken Lambeth House.

Payton's plasma diagnosis comes just ahead of the NFL draft, which is set to begin April 23.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the draft will be conducted virtually, with all NFL staffers having individual draft setups at their own homes.