Drew Brees Retires After 20 Seasons

After 20 long seasons, the last 15 years with the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees retires with an official announcement. This announcement comes on the 15th anniversary of signing with the Saints. Brees announced via a post on his Instagram account of his retirement. The post included a video of his children explaining that Brees is finally retiring to be able to spend more time with them.

Brees also had an announcement of his own that he posted in the Instagram post:

“After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football. Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback. Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans. We shared some amazing moments together, many of which are emblazoned in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us. You have molded me, strengthened me, inspired me, and given me a lifetime of memories. My goal for the last 15 years was striving to give to you everything you had given to me and more. I am only retiring from playing football, I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life‘s work begins!”

While many fans anticipated that the divisional loss to the Buccaneers was going to be Brees’s last game of his career. Brees started hinting at the possibility of his retirement. Instead, Brees decided to wait a couple of months before he announced his retirement. Brees felt like he needed to think about what was best, not only for himself but also for his family.

Drew Brees Retires After Leading a Legendary Career

• The loss to Tampa Bay was heartbreaking but he did leave with a lot of completed accomplishments.
• Brees started in 2001 when he was drafted in the 2nd round to the San Diego Chargers where he started 58 games.
• When Brees was with the Chargers he started to get his stride in 2004 with a 27-touchdown campaign that helped San Diego to a 12-4 finish.
• Brees then went to the New Orlean Saints to continue his career starting 228 games.

In 2006, Brees went to a New Orleans Saints team that was struggling. Brees was able to start working and turning the team around. Brees was able to bring the Saints from a 3-13 the year before to a 10-6, making it to the conference Championship. Brees did not stop there though. Over the 15 years in New Orleans, he was able to help lead the Saints to the only Super Bowl appearance and win during his time.

Not only did Brees make a name for himself on the football field. He also made a name for himself with the fans of New Orleans. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. When Brees came to New Orleans in 2006, he automatically started to help the relief.

Brees had the Brees Dream Foundation which started to help with the relief and recovery. Brees also formed a partnership with Operation Kids to attempt to rebuild academic facilities as well as parks, playgrounds, athletic centers, and mentoring programs. During this time, Brees instantly became a fan favorite and hero among Saints fans and the New Orleans community.

During those 20 years in the NFL, Brees became the all-time passing record holder with 80,358 yards, completions record holder with 7,142 completions, and the Season record holder for a completion percentage of 74.4% in 2018. Also finished 2nd for most touchdowns thrown in a career with 571 touchdowns.

Brees did not stop there though. He also had two Offensive Player of the Year awards, 2004 NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year, 2006 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, 2009 NFL Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year), 13-time pro bowler, Super Bowl Champion, and Super Bowl XLIV MVP.

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