By Mike Rifkin
Earlier this week, Drew Brees announced his retirement from the NFL. Brees has one most remarkable NFL career of all time, Brees completed 67.7% of his passes in his career, 80,358 yards, 571 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 98.7. He ranks first in yards but second in touchdowns and completion percentage. The weirdest thing in all of this is that Brees had never won an MVP award for as great of a career but finished second a record four times. But Brees faced some adversity on his way to his illustrious career. In 2006 Brees had surgery for a torn labrum and injured his rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder.
That offseason, Brees was a free agent and decided to go to the New Orleans Saints. When he first arrived in New Orleans, Brees said, “I just felt that energy in New Orleans,” Brees said Tuesday night. “From the very beginning, there was a genuine feeling that they wanted me there. They believe I can come back from this shoulder injury and lead them to a championship.
They were as confident as I am, and that meant a lot.” That comfortability with the Saints turned into 15 years of greatness and watching something special. Notable for the man, and the city Brees turned around a franchise that, for the most part, was not very good. In 2009 Brees and the Saints defeated Peyton Manning and the Colts to win Brees only Super Bowl of his career. Drew’s character on the field was tremendous, but so was his character off the field. When Brees first arrived in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, he partnered with an organization to help rebuild parks, playgrounds, and athletic centers.
Fans always want to debate who the GOAT is, but you have to appreciate greatness when you see it. Drew Brees is an all-time great quarterback who battled adversity. Drew Brees gave back to the team and city that took a chance on him and succeeded beautifully.
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