Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees (born January 15, 1979) is a retired American football quarterback who played 20 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).[1] Selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers after a standout college career at Purdue University, Brees began his professional tenure with the Chargers from 2001 to 2005 before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, where he remained until his retirement.[1][2] Brees led the Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season, earning Super Bowl MVP honors for his performance, and guided the team through a remarkable recovery and resurgence in the years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.[3] Over his career, he set NFL records for passing completions and, upon retiring in March 2021, ranked second all-time in passing yards with 80,358 and touchdown passes with 571, achievements that underscored his precision and durability despite early career shoulder surgery.[2][4] Brees earned 13 Pro Bowl selections and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.[1] In June 2020, amid nationwide protests following George Floyd's death, Brees drew sharp criticism from teammates including Malcolm Jenkins and media outlets for affirming that he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America," a statement rooted in his grandfather's military service and personal values, prompting him to later apologize for offending those seeking racial justice.[5][6] Post-retirement, Brees has worked as a football analyst for NBC Sports.[1]Early Life
Family Background and Childhood
Drew Brees was born Andrew Christopher Brees on January 15, 1979, in Austin, Texas.[7] He is the eldest son of Eugene Wilson "Chip" Brees II, a trial attorney, and Mina Ruth Brees, who also worked in a law firm alongside her husband.[8] Brees's parents both possessed athletic backgrounds, with his father having played basketball at Texas A&M University, which influenced the family's emphasis on competitive sports from an early age.[9] Brees has a younger brother, Reid Brees, with whom he shared a highly competitive sibling dynamic centered on athletics during childhood.[10] The family environment fostered an early immersion in football and other sports, as Brees was named after Drew Pearson, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys whom his parents admired.[11] Growing up in Texas, Brees developed a strong work ethic through rigorous summer workouts and field sessions with his brother, often pushing each other in drills that honed his competitive drive.[10] His mother, Mina, passed away in 2009 after battling cancer, an event that Brees later reflected on as shaping his resilience, though her influence during his formative years emphasized discipline and family support for his pursuits.[12]High School Career
Drew Brees attended Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, where he starred as the quarterback for the Chaparrals football team from 1995 to 1997.[13] As a starter in his junior and senior seasons, Brees led Westlake to a 28–0–1 record, demonstrating exceptional leadership and precision passing despite his below-average height of 6 feet and relatively slight build for the position.[14][15] In his senior year of 1996, Brees threw for 3,529 yards—the highest total in Class 5A by over 1,000 yards—while earning first-team all-state honors and guiding the undefeated 16–0 Chaparrals to the Class 5A Division II state championship.[16] He was named the MVP of the state title game after completing 11 of 18 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing score, in a dominant victory.[14] Over his two starting seasons, Brees amassed 5,464 passing yards and 50 touchdowns, setting school records that stood until surpassed by later Westlake quarterback Nick Foles in 2006.[14][17] Brees' high school performance earned him induction into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2011, recognizing his pivotal role in Westlake's success.[16] In October 2025, Westlake retired his No. 15 jersey in a pregame ceremony, honoring his contributions to the program's legacy.[18]College Career
Purdue Boilermakers
Drew Brees enrolled at Purdue University in 1997 and played quarterback for the Boilermakers football team through the 2000 season.[19] As a true freshman, he appeared in seven games primarily as a backup, completing 19 of 42 passes for 232 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.[19] Brees emerged as the full-time starter in his sophomore year of 1998 under head coach Joe Tiller, who implemented a pass-oriented offense suited to Brees's strengths.[20] He led Purdue to a 9-3 regular-season record, culminating in a 37-36 victory over Minnesota in the Alamo Bowl on December 29, 1998.[21] Statistically, Brees completed 336 of 516 passes for 3,753 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while adding 266 rushing yards and four rushing scores; his 516 attempts set a Big Ten single-season record at the time.[19] [22] A highlight was his October 10 game against Wisconsin, where he tied an NCAA single-game record with 45 completions out of 56 attempts for 427 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-30 loss.[23] In 1999, Brees's junior season, Purdue finished 7-5, including a 37-34 Outback Bowl win over Georgia on January 1, 2000.[24] He threw 302 of 470 passes for 3,497 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, earning fourth-place finishes in Heisman Trophy voting and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year consideration.[19] [21] Brees's senior year in 2000 capped his college tenure with Purdue achieving an 8-4 record, a share of the Big Ten championship, and an invitation to the Rose Bowl—the program's first since 1967.[21] He completed 365 of 549 passes for 3,659 yards and 22 touchdowns with two interceptions, plus 534 rushing yards and five rushing scores, helping the Boilermakers to a 27-21 win over Indiana on November 25 that clinched their conference title.[19] [23] In the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2001, Purdue fell 34-24 to Washington despite Brees throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns.[21] For his efforts, Brees placed third in Heisman voting, won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, and was named a unanimous All-Big Ten selection.[19] [22] Over three seasons as starter, Brees guided Purdue to a 24-13 record and established two NCAA records, 13 Big Ten Conference records, and 19 Purdue records, including career marks in passing yards (10,909), completions (1,003), attempts (1,595), and touchdowns (81).[19] [22] One signature performance came on October 21, 2000, against Ohio State, where he orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback from a 21-point deficit, completing 22 of 34 passes for 235 yards and engineering the game-winning drive in a 27-24 victory.[25] His accuracy, decision-making, and record-setting volume passing redefined Purdue's offense, transitioning it from a run-heavy tradition to a high-output aerial attack.[22]Key Achievements and Statistics
Drew Brees served as Purdue's starting quarterback for three seasons from 1998 to 2000, compiling a 24-13 record and leading the Boilermakers to a co-Big Ten championship in 2000 along with a 37-34 victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl on January 1, 2001.[21] He earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors in 1998 and 2000, becoming the first Purdue player to win the award twice.[26] Brees finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2000 and fourth in 1999, while receiving the Maxwell Award as the nation's top player in 2000.[19] [22] Brees set multiple records during his college career, including two NCAA marks such as tying the single-game completions record with 55 against Wisconsin on October 10, 1998, and establishing 13 Big Ten Conference records and 19 Purdue records, among them the conference single-season passing touchdowns mark with 39 in 1998.[27] He also ranked first in Big Ten history at the time in career completions and passing yards.[22]| Year | Games | Completions/Attempts | Completion % | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 11 | 298/489 | 60.9 | 3,783 | 39 | 11 | 268 | 4 |
| 1999 | 12 | 337/554 | 60.9 | 3,909 | 25 | 14 | 221 | 4 |
| 2000 | 12 | 307/482 | 63.7 | 3,217 | 17 | 8 | 534 | 5 |
| Career | 41 | 942/1,525 | 61.8 | 10,909 | 81 | 41 | 1,034 | 13 |
Professional Career
San Diego Chargers Era (2001-2005)
Brees was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Purdue University.[1] As a rookie, he served primarily as backup to veteran Doug Flutie, appearing in one game on October 21, 2001, against the Kansas City Chiefs after Flutie suffered an injury; Brees completed 15 of 27 passes for 221 yards and 1 touchdown.[28][1] The Chargers finished 5-11 that season. In 2002, Brees won the starting job during preseason but Flutie started the first two games; Brees took over from Week 3 onward, starting all 16 games and leading the Chargers to an 8-8 record, their first non-losing season since 1994.[29][1] The team showed improvement with running back LaDainian Tomlinson's emergence, but Brees struggled with consistency, throwing 16 interceptions. The Chargers missed the playoffs. The 2003 season was marred by injury and poor performance, with Brees starting 11 games before dislocating his right shoulder in Week 2 against the Oakland Raiders, causing him to miss the final five games; the team finished 4-12.[1] Brees' passer rating dipped to 67.5 amid 15 interceptions in limited action. Doug Flutie and others filled in, but the offense faltered. Despite the Chargers drafting Philip Rivers fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft as Brees' potential successor, head coach Marty Schottenheimer named Brees the starter, citing his experience.[30] Brees responded with career-best efficiency, starting 15 games (missing one due to a calf injury) and earning his first Pro Bowl selection along with Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year honors.[1] The Chargers won the AFC West for the first time in 10 years, finishing 12-4 atop the standings. In the playoffs, Brees led a 20-17 overtime wild-card victory over the New York Jets on January 8, 2005, completing 31 of 42 passes for 319 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception; however, the team lost 20-7 in the divisional round to the New England Patriots on January 15, where Brees completed 16 of 29 passes for 185 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions.[1][31] In 2005, Brees started all 16 games amid competition from Rivers, guiding the Chargers to a 9-7 record but missing the playoffs after a Week 17 loss to the Denver Broncos on January 1, 2006, during which he suffered a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder after a hit from Broncos safety John Lynch.[1][32] Brees underwent arthroscopic surgery on January 5, 2006, performed by Dr. James Andrews, to repair the damage, which included a partial rotator cuff tear; multiple specialists initially doubted his full recovery, prompting the Chargers to allow him to become a free agent rather than re-sign him, prioritizing Rivers.[33][32]| Year | Games (GS) | Cmp/Att | Yards | TD/INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 (0) | 15/27 | 221 | 1/0 | 94.8 |
| 2002 | 16 (16) | 320/526 | 3,284 | 17/16 | 76.9 |
| 2003 | 11 (11) | 205/356 | 2,108 | 11/15 | 67.5 |
| 2004 | 15 (15) | 262/400 | 3,159 | 27/7 | 104.8 |
| 2005 | 16 (16) | 323/500 | 3,576 | 24/15 | 89.2 |
New Orleans Saints Era (2006-2020)
Drew Brees signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on March 14, 2006, securing the starting quarterback role despite recent reconstructive surgery on his throwing shoulder from a 2005 injury with the San Diego Chargers.[34][35] Paired with new head coach Sean Payton, Brees implemented a high-volume, precision-based passing offense that transformed the Saints from a 3-13 team in 2005—displaced by Hurricane Katrina—into consistent contenders.[3] In 2006, Brees threw for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns across 16 starts, achieving a 96.2 passer rating and leading the Saints to a 10-6 record with their first playoff berth since 2000, though they lost in the wild-card round.[1] Subsequent seasons featured steady production, including a franchise-record 5,069 yards and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2008 amid an 8-8 finish.[1][3] The pinnacle arrived in 2009, when Brees posted a 70.6% completion rate, 4,388 yards, and 34 touchdowns over 15 games, powering a 13-3 regular season and playoff wins over Arizona and Minnesota to reach Super Bowl XLIV.[1] On February 7, 2010, the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV, with Brees earning MVP honors for completing 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns, including an onside kick recovery that shifted momentum.[36][37] This victory marked the Saints' first championship and symbolized post-Katrina resilience for New Orleans. Brees followed with an NFL-record 5,476 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in 2011, alongside a 71.2% completion rate, though the team fell in the divisional playoffs.[1][3] Sustained excellence defined the mid-2010s, with Brees amassing over 5,000 yards in four seasons (2008, 2011, 2013, 2016) and earning six Pro Bowl selections from 2013 to 2018.[1] He set NFL single-season records for completion percentage in 2017 (72.0%) and 2018 (74.4%), the latter amid 3,992 yards and only five interceptions in 15 games, contributing to a 13-3 record.[1][3] Brees also shattered career marks, surpassing 50,000 passing yards in 2013—the youngest to do so—and eclipsing Peyton Manning's all-time yardage total in 2018.[3] Over 15 seasons, he directed seven division titles (four straight from 2017-2020), nine playoff appearances, nine postseason wins, and three NFC Championship games, compiling a 142-86 regular-season starting record.[38][39] Injuries curtailed the final years: a thumb injury sidelined Brees for five games in 2019, yet he returned to a 74.3% completion rate and 116.3 passer rating in 11 starts; in 2020, rib and lung punctures limited him to 12 games, but he still delivered 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a 106.4 rating en route to a 12-5 finish before a wild-card exit.[1] Brees' tenure elevated the Saints to perennial relevance, with his accuracy—evident in 68.7% career completion during the era—and decision-making underpinning an offense that prioritized short-to-intermediate throws and quick releases.[1]Retirement Decision
Drew Brees officially announced his retirement from the National Football League on March 14, 2021, concluding a 20-year professional career that included 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints.[2][40] The 42-year-old quarterback shared the news via an Instagram video featuring his wife, Brittany, and their four children, emphasizing a shift toward family life after years dominated by football demands.[41][42] The decision followed the Saints' 30-20 divisional playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 17, 2021, marking Brees' fourth consecutive home postseason defeat and prompting immediate speculation about his future.[43] In the 2020 regular season, Brees appeared in 12 games, starting all of them, with a 9-3 record, completing 70.5% of his passes for 2,942 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions, demonstrating sustained accuracy despite diminished arm velocity compared to his prime.[44][45] However, lingering effects from prior injuries—including a 2006 shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and a 2019 thumb ligament tear—contributed to physical wear, with Brees later revealing in 2024 that he had seriously considered a 2021 return but abandoned it due to inadequate recovery and declining physical condition.[46][47] Family considerations played a central role, as Brees prioritized presence for his young children—Baylen, Bowen, Rylen, and Callen—amid the relentless NFL schedule that had previously limited his home time.[2] He had weighed retirement annually since at least 2018, balancing professional achievements like a Super Bowl XLIV victory and all-time passing records against personal tolls, ultimately deeming 2020 his final season after extensive deliberation with his family and advisors.[40][48] This choice aligned with observable patterns among aging quarterbacks, where cumulative injury accumulation and performance sustainability often precipitate exit, independent of team success.[46]NFL Career Statistics
Regular Season Totals
Drew Brees appeared in 287 regular season games across 20 NFL seasons from 2001 to 2020.[49][1] His passing totals included 7,142 completions on 10,551 attempts, yielding 80,358 yards, 571 touchdowns, and 243 interceptions, with a career passer rating of 98.7.[1][50] Brees was sacked 411 times for a total loss of 2,897 yards.[1]| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Completions | 7,142 |
| Attempts | 10,551 |
| Completion % | 67.7% |
| Passing Yards | 80,358 |
| Yards per Attempt | 7.6 |
| Touchdowns | 571 |
| Interceptions | 243 |
| Passer Rating | 98.7 |
| Sacks Taken | 411 |
Postseason Performance
Drew Brees appeared in 18 NFL postseason games across his career with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints, posting a 9–9 record as the starting quarterback.[31] His aggregate postseason passing performance featured 501 completions on 735 attempts for 5,976 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, resulting in a 97.8 passer rating.[31] These figures reflect consistent efficiency under playoff pressure, though his teams reached the conference championship round only twice and secured one Super Bowl victory.[31] With the Chargers, Brees made his lone playoff start on January 8, 2005, in a wild-card matchup against the New York Jets, completing 31 of 42 passes for 319 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 17–20 overtime defeat.[31] Transitioning to the Saints, Brees orchestrated nine playoff berths from 2006 to 2020, yielding a 9–8 record in those contests.[31] Early highlights included a 2006 wild-card triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles on January 13 (20 of 32 for 243 yards and one touchdown in a 27–24 win) followed by a divisional-round loss to the Chicago Bears on January 21 (27 of 49 for 354 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 14–39 defeat).[31] The pinnacle arrived in the 2009 postseason, where Brees led New Orleans to its sole Super Bowl under his tenure. In the divisional round against the Arizona Cardinals on January 16, 2010, he threw 23 of 32 for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a 45–14 rout.[31] The NFC Championship Game versus the Minnesota Vikings on January 24 extended to overtime, with Brees completing 17 of 31 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in a 31–28 victory.[31] Culminating in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010, against the Indianapolis Colts, Brees went 32 of 39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions, earning MVP honors in a 31–17 win that marked the Saints' first championship.[31][51] Subsequent campaigns showcased Brees' volume passing in high-stakes games but often ended in narrow defeats. Notable outputs included 466 yards and three touchdowns in a 2011 wild-card win over the Detroit Lions on January 7, 2012, and 462 yards with four touchdowns (albeit two interceptions) in the ensuing divisional loss to the San Francisco 49ers on January 14.[31] Similar patterns emerged in later wild-card victories—such as 376 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers on January 7, 2018—followed by divisional setbacks, including the infamous "Minneapolis Miracle" loss to the Vikings on January 14, 2018 (25 of 40 for 294 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions).[31] Brees' final playoff game, a January 17, 2021, divisional defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, saw uncharacteristically low production of 19 of 34 for 134 yards and three interceptions in a 20–30 outcome.[31]| Postseason Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 18 |
| Record | 9–9 |
| Completions/Attempts | 501/735 (68.2%) |
| Passing Yards | 5,976 |
| Touchdowns | 39 |
| Interceptions | 15 |
| Passer Rating | 97.8 |
Records and Awards
NFL Single-Season and Career Records
Drew Brees holds the NFL record for the most seasons with at least 5,000 passing yards, achieving this mark five times (2008, 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2018).[52] He also established the single-season record for pass completions with 471 in 2016, surpassing his own previous mark of 468 set in 2011; these remain the top two totals in NFL history.[53] Brees led the league in passing yards a record seven times (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016), more than any other quarterback.[54] In terms of career milestones, Brees amassed 80,358 passing yards over 20 seasons, ranking second all-time behind Tom Brady as of his 2020 retirement.[55] He set the NFL record for consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass at 54, from November 7, 2009, to October 18, 2015, eclipsing Johnny Unitas's long-standing mark of 47.[52] Brees also owns the all-time lead in games with 300 or more passing yards (123) and games with 400 or more (16).[56]| Category | Record | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Season Completions | 471 | 2016 (New Orleans Saints)[53] |
| Single-Season Completion % | 71.2% | 2011 (468/657 attempts)[52] |
| Most 5,000-Yard Seasons | 5 | 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018[52] |
| Career 300-Yard Games | 123 | All-time leader[56] |
| Consecutive TD Pass Games | 54 | November 2009–October 2015[52] |
New Orleans Saints Franchise Marks
Drew Brees established dominance in the New Orleans Saints' record books during his 15-year tenure from 2006 to 2020, holding the majority of franchise passing records due to his consistent high-volume production and accuracy.[57][58] His career statistics with the Saints reflect sustained excellence, surpassing previous benchmarks set by predecessors like Archie Manning and Bobby Hebert through superior completion rates and touchdown efficiency.[1] In franchise career passing categories, Brees ranks first in completions with 5,551, passing yards with 68,010, and passing touchdowns with 491.[57][1] He also leads in pass attempts (10,311), passer rating (98.8), and 300-yard games (107), metrics that underscore his role in transforming the Saints' aerial attack.[59] Additionally, Brees set the Saints' mark for consecutive games with a touchdown pass at 54, a streak that spanned from 2016 to 2019 and highlighted his reliability in scoring drives.[52]| Category | Record | Year(s) Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Season Passing Yards | 5,476 | 2011[60][61] |
| Single-Season Passing Touchdowns | 46 | 2011[60] |
| Single-Season Completion Percentage | 74.4% | 2018[60][62] |