NFL Player Page
NFL CAREER – After Brees lifted the Saints to the most successful season in club history and was voted first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl starter in 2006, the veteran quarterback had a sparkling encore last season, twice winning NFC Player of the Week honors, establishing an NFL single-season record for completions with 440, and also setting team records for passing yards (4,423), touchdowns (28), completion percentage (67.5), games with over 250 passing yards (11) and passing attempts (652). Few players in the era of NFL free agency have made the impact that Brees has had on the Saints over the last two years. Since 2006, Brees has started all 32 games and put together a remarkable body of work in that short stint, posting the first two 4,000-yard passing seasons in team history as well as 54 touchdown passes, 20 games with at least 250 passing yards, an NFL-high 68 completions of 25 yards or more and a legion of other team records. No Saints passer approaches his two-year statistical totals. In 2006, Brees led the Saints to the NFC Championship, was selected first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and was also honored as the co-winner of the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year for his on-field performance, charitable contributions and volunteer work. He signed a six-year contract with the Saints in March of 2006 as an Unrestricted Free Agent after ranking as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks over the previous two years with San Diego, departing as the Chargers' all-time leader for career completion percentage (62.2). Originally drafted by San Diego in 2001, in 2004 Brees was selected to the Pro Bowl earned a host of awards, including the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to six-year contract with Saints, (UFA), 3/16/06; Re-signed by San Diego Chargers to one-year contract as Franchise Player, 3/4/05; Designated Franchise Player by San Diego, 2/22/05; Selected by San Diego in the second round (32nd overall) of 2001 NFL Draft.
HONORS – 2007: NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 14); NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week Eight). 2006: Pro Bowl starter; co-NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year; Associate Press All-Pro; Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America All-Pro & All-NFC; Sporting News All-Pro; USA Today All-Pro; Sports Illustrated (Dr. Z) MVP; NFL FedEx Air Player of the Year; NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 14); FedEx Air Player of the Week (Week 14); FedEx Air Player of the Week (Week 12); NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week Nine); FedEx Air Player of the Week (Week Nine). 2005: Pro Bowl alternate; AFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 4); FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week (Week 9). 2004: Pro Bowl; Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, CBSSportsline.com Most Improved Player; FoxSports.com Comeback Player of the Year; Dallas Morning News Comeback Player of the Year; Pro Football Weekly Most Improved Player; Sports Illustrated Most Improved Player; Football Digest All-Pro (second-team); College & Pro Football Newsweekly All-Pro (second-team); AFC Player of the Week (Week 8); FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week (Week 8); FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week (Week 9).
2007 – Turned in another record-breaking effort, leading the NFL in completions (a league-record 440) and attempts (652), ranking second in yards (a career-high and club-record 4,423), third in completion percentage (67.5) and tied for sixth in touchdowns (a club-record 28)…Started all 16 games, posting final totals of 440 of 652 for 4,423 yards (67.5 percent), with 28 TDs, 18 INTs and a passer rating of 89.4 (11th in the NFL)…Threw for 250 yards or more in a club-record 11 contests, including five of over 300 yards…Average of 276.4 passing yards per game ranked second in the league, only trailing New England QB Tom Brady (300.4)…Tied for fifth in the NFL with 27 completions of 25 yards or more, giving him a league-high 68 since the start of 2006…Threw for 1,140 yards in the fourth quarter, trailing only Brady (1,212), and led the league with 119 completions…Also led the NFL with 104 completions on third down…Selected by teammates as one of the five season-long captains…Added 52 rushing yards on 23 carries with a TD…Opened at Indianapolis, Sept. 6, 28 of 41 for 192 yards with two INTs…Went 26 of 44 for 260 yards and a TD and interception at Tampa Bay, Sept. 16, including a 58-yard pass to WR David Patten…Completed passes to 10 difference receivers, finishing 29 of 45 for 225 yards, with four interceptions vs. Tennessee, Sept. 24…Threw for 252 yards, completing 29 of 47 with a pair of INTs vs. Carolina, Oct. 7. Found WR Devery Henderson on a 54-yard strike to set up a TD…Shook off sluggish, four-game start at Seattle, Oct. 14, completing 25 of 36 for 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Posted a passer rating of 106.9. Also converted a 4th-and-1 with a two-yard sneak…Oct. 21 vs. Atlanta, threw a pair of TDs while completing 22 of 34 for 219 yards with an INT. Added a nine-yard run on 4th-and-1…Recorded first 300-yard day of season and ninth with New Orleans at San Francisco, Oct. 28, completing 31 of 39 (79.5 pct.) for 336 yards with a season-high four touchdowns. Notched passer rating of 136.8, and for his efforts was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week…Threw for second-most yards in club history with 445 in win vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 4, giving him five of the top six totals in club history. Completed 35 of 49 with three touchdowns in leading team to fourth-straight victory. His 346 passing yards in first half are the most for a Saints passer in single half…Completed 25 of 36 for 272 yards, with a pair of TDs and two INTs vs. St. Louis, Nov. 11. Passed for 204 yards on 16 of 22 with both TDs in the game’s final period…At Houston, Nov. 18, went 33 of 49 for 290 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions – both off deflected passes…Nov. 25, led Saints to first victory at Carolina since 2005 by throwing three touchdowns and running for an eight-yard TD. Completed 24 of 36 for 260 yards and an INT. Rushing touchdown was first with Saints and his first since 12/11/05…Went 17 of 23 for 179 yards and a pair of TDs vs. Tampa Bay, Dec. 2…In victory at Atlanta, Dec. 19, completed 28 of 41 for 328 yards with three touchdowns…Dec. 16 vs. Arizona posted 86.7 completion percentage (26 for 30) with 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns (19- and 32-yard strikes). Notched a passer rating of 132.6, his fourth-straight game in triple digits, and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week…Finished 27 of 42 for 284 yards and an INT vs. Philadelphia, Dec. 23. Set a club record begun the week before by completing his 17th-straight pass in first quarter, breaking mark set by Archie Manning in 1979…At Chicago, Dec. 30, set club record for attempts in a game with 60, completing 35 for 320 yards and three touchdowns, with a pair of INTs. Broke NFL record for completions in a season in second quarter (418, Rich Gannon). 2006 – Top free-agent signing paid immediate dividends with honor-filled season, leading the offense and rewriting club's passing records. Completed 356 of 554 (64.3 pct.) for 4,418 yards, with 26 TDs and 11 INTs…Posted a team-record 96.2 passer rating…Yardage total led NFL…Though he went on to eclipse some of his records in 2007, set franchise marks for completions (356), completion percentage (64.3), 300-yard games (eight), 250+ yard games (nine), consecutive 300-yard performances (five), contests with a passer rating of 90 or better (11), passing yards in a game (510 vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 19) and completions in a game (37, vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 19)…Threw for more yards than any QB in NFL history with a new team (previous: QB Drew Bledsoe, 4,359, Buffalo, 2002)…Had 1,954 yards from Oct. 29-Nov. 26 (vs. Baltimore through at Atlanta), the most over a five-game span in NFL history…Threw for over 300 yards in five straight games (from Oct. 29 vs. Baltimore through Nov. 26 at Atlanta), one of only six passers in NFL record books to achieve the feat…Had streaks of 141, 136 and 102 passes without an INT…Posted a 101.1 passer rating in fourth quarter (79 of 123 for 1,164 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INT)…Ranked third in NFL in third-down passing with 99.2 rating (105 of 160, 1,371 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INT)…Had 4,033 yards in first 13 games, second-highest total in league history (Rich Gannon, Oakland, 2002, 4,205) and his 3,463 after 11 games was also second-best in NFL annals (Gannon, 2002, 3,535)…In NFC Championship at Chicago, 1/21/07, completed 27 of 49 for 354 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. His 88-yard TD to RB Reggie Bush was longest in NFC Championship Game history, and his passing yardage total was third…In Divisional Playoffs vs. Philadelphia, 1/13/07, completed 20 of 32 for 243 yards with a TD…Ended postseason 47 of 81 for 597 yards (58 pct.), with three TDs, an INT and 88.3 rating…In opener at Cleveland, Sept. 10 was 17 of 31 for 176 with a TD and interception…After rough start with a pair of early fumbles at Green Bay, Sept. 17, led comeback by completing 26 of 41 for 353 yards with two TDs and a 96.9 rating. Lone QB in club history to notch back-to-back road wins to open a season…Sept. 25 vs. Atlanta completed 20 of 28 for 191 yards in Superdome return…Had 349 yards – including a career-high 86-yard TD pass to WR Marques Colston – while completing 28 of 38 with a 110.5 rating at Carolina, Oct. 1…Week Five vs. Tampa Bay, completed 11 of 17 in second half with a TD as Saints improve to 4-1…Tossed three TDs in memorable win vs. Philadelphia, Oct. 15. With the score tied and 8:26 remaining, led the Saints on a 16-play, 72-yard march to set up game-winning field goal as time expired. Completed final 10 passes, finishing 27 of 37 for 275 yards with a pair of interceptions and a 98.4 rating…Threw for 383 yards and tossed three TDs vs. Baltimore, Oct. 29, completing 24 of 45, with a trio of INTs. Yardage total at time was the second-best in team history, and he also threw a two-point conversion…Posted a 136.7 passer rating, completing 24 of 32 for 314 yards and three TDs at Tampa Bay, Nov. 5. Completed 10 of 12 in third quarter, including a 45-yard touchdown, to end the Buccaneers' comeback aspirations. Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and FedEx Air Player of the Week…At Pittsburgh, Nov. 12, completed 31 of 47 for 398 yards and a TD, notching third-straight game with over 300 yards. Had a passer rating of 99.4…Recorded sixth-highest passing yardage day in NFL history with 510 vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 19. Completed 37 of 57, with a pair of TDs and three INTs. Yardage total shattered former club record (441, Aaron Brooks vs. Denver, Dec. 3, 2000). Completed passes to eight targets as club set record with 595 yards of total offense…Posted fifth-straight 300-yard day with 349, completing 21 of 30 with two TDs and a 131.1 rating at Atlanta, Nov. 26, capping sweep of division rival. Seventh time in 11 games he reached 300-yard milestone. Voted FedEx Air Player of the Week…Streak of 300-yard days closed vs. San Francisco, Dec. 3 in steady, mistake-free performance. Completed 17 of 28 for 186 yards, notched seventh game without INT…At Dallas, Dec. 19, had a season-high 140.8 rating, going 24 of 38 for 384 yards and five TDs. Yardage achieved over first three quarters, as Saints held commanding lead. Tossed three TDs in third quarter while completing seven of eight for 185 yards to leave the outcome no longer in doubt. Went over 4,000 yards passing, becoming the first QB in club history to do so. Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and FedEx Air Player of the Week…Dec. 17 vs. Washington was 21 of 38 for 207 yards with 98.2 rating. Last of seven-straight contests with rating of 90 or better…13 of 32 for 132 yards in win at NY Giants, Dec. 24…With division title locked up, only played in opening drive vs. Carolina in finale, completing four of five for 46 yards, 105.0 rating… NFC starter in Pro Bowl, completing two of seven for 23 yards before suffering a dislocated left elbow. 2005 – Named first alternate to AFC Pro Bowl squad... Had a sterling sequel to record-setting 2004 by completing 323 of 500 for 3,576 yards, with 24 TDs and 15 INTs, with 89.2 rating...Named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after 41-17 win over New England, Oct. 2, ending Patriots' NFL-record 21-game home win streak. Completed 19 of 24 for 248 yards with two TDs for rating of 137.5…Completed 23 of 40 passes for 299 yards and a pair of TDs at Philadelphia, Oct. 23, going over 10,000 career passing yards… Recorded initial 300-yard passing day of season with 324 yards vs. Kansas City, Oct. 30. Tossed three TDs and posted a 95.5 rating…Completed 28 of 33 for four TDs and 339 yards in 48-10 win over Buffalo Nov. 20. His 84.8 completion percentage was second-highest in team history…Went 35 of 52 vs. Miami, Dec. 11, with 279 yards and two TDs, with a rushing touchdown…Completed 22 of 33 for 255 yards and a TD at Indianapolis, Dec. 18…Suffered torn labrum in right shoulder in second quarter of finale vs. Denver. Injured while diving for loose ball and landed on by Broncos DT Gerard Warren. 2004 – Voted to Pro Bowl for first time...Voted Comeback Player of Year by Associated Press, Sports Illustrated and Dallas Morning News...Voted Most Improved Player of Year by Pro Football Weekly, Pro Football Writers of America, CBSsportsline.com and FoxSports.com... Second-team All-Pro by Pro Football Weekly, Football Digest and College & Pro Football Newsweekly...Named AFC Offensive Player of Week after setting team record by completing 22 of 25 for 281 yards and a career-high five TDs against Oakland, Oct. 31. Finished with career-high passer rating of 153.1, and two of three incompletions were balls thrown away...Named FedEx Air Player of Week after throwing four TD passes vs. New Orleans, Nov. 7. Was 22 of 36 for 257 yards and a 119.8 rating...Nine TD passes most by a Chargers quarterback in two-game stretch...Went 18 of 34 for 226 yards with a TD at Oakland, Nov. 21. Extended streak without interception to 156 tosses...Notched 378 yards at Kansas City, Nov. 28. Went 28 of 37 with two TDs to run streak without interception to team-record of 193. Was 11 of 11 for 163 yards and two TDs in final quarter...Threw an interception on second play vs. Denver, Dec. 5 to end team-record streak of passes without interception at 194...Passed for 290 yards and three TDs at Indianapolis Dec. 26, including 74-yard touchdown...First QB since Craig Morton of Dallas in 1970 to throw 70-yard TD passes in three-straight games. Finished with 290 yards on 21 of 31 at Indianapolis, Dec. 24, with three TDs…Had 319 yards and two TDs in Wild Card Playoff vs. New York Jets. Threw game-tying one-yard scoring pass with 11 seconds remaining to force overtime. Completed 31 of 42 to set team record for completion percentage (.738) in postseason. 2003 – Started first eight contests and final three…Had 270 yards, completing 28 of 45, vs. Baltimore, Sept. 21…Notched first career TD catch on 21-yard reception on pass from RB LaDainian Tomlinson at Oakland, Sept. 28. Also completed 21 of 31 for 187 yards and a TD…At Jacksonville, Oct. 5, went 24 of 41 for a 296 yards and three TDs for a 105.3 rating…Did not play Weeks 9-13...Returned to lineup vs. Green Bay, Dec. 14, after being benched for five games and passed for 363 yards (28 of 48) and two TDs, including a 68-yard TD. 2002 – Started 16 games and completed 320 of 526 for 3,284 yards, with 17 TDs and 16 INTs…Had 40 completions of 20 yards or more and rushed a career-high 130 yards…Was 15 of 19 for 160 yards with two TDs at Cincinnati, Sept. 8. His .789 completion percentage was the best by a QB making first NFL start since Rob Johnson completed 20 of 24 (.833) for Jacksonville in 1997...Threw first-career INT against Houston Sept. 15 to end string of 66 attempts without pick to open career...Passed for 319 yards vs. Kansas City, Oct. 13 and led game-winning drive in final 2:24, completing six of seven for 71 yards, including two-yard TD...Went 29 of 50 for 336 yards vs. San Francisco, Nov. 17...Had three TD passes and 332 yards vs. Seattle, Dec. 29. 2001 – Made first NFL appearance vs. Kansas City Nov. 4, and completed 15 of 27 for 221 yards with first career TD...Did not play Weeks 1-7 and 9-16.
COLLEGE – Had an honor-filled career at Purdue, including being a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1999 and 2000…Won The Maxwell Award as the nation's outstanding player in 2000...Finalist for The Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback in 1999 and 2000...Ended career as Big Ten and Purdue's all-time leader in passing yards (11,792), touchdown passes (90), total yards (12,693), completion percentage (.611), completions (1,026) and attempts (1,678)...Departed fourth in NCAA Division I history for total offense, completions and attempts...Led Boilermakers to 2000 Rose Bowl, the school's first appearance in Pasadena since 1967...Only player in conference history to throw for more than 500 yards in a game twice...Added seven 400-yard games and 16 300-yard days in his career...Earned Big Ten Player of Year honors in 1998 and 2000 and all-conference accolades for three-straight years (1998-2000)...As a senior was named Academic All-America Player of Year...Recipient of the school's Leonard Wilson Award for unselfishness and dedication...Fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting as a junior...First recipient of Socrates Award, recognizing the nation's finest athlete in terms of academics, athletics and community service...Selected Purdue's Male Athlete of Year as a junior and senior...Received Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor in 2001...Chosen for school's Mortar Board in 1999...Earned degree in industrial management and manufacturing and graduated with a 3.4 GPA.
PERSONAL – Born Jan. 15, 1979 in Austin, Texas...Travelled to Okinawa with TE Billy Miller in the offseason as part of USO mission to visit troops…Following 2006 season, he treated the entire offensive line to join him in Hawaii for the week at the Pro Bowl…Since his arrival, he has taken an extremely active role in the New Orleans community in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Held a “Cocktails for Katrina” fundraiser not long after signing with the Saints to benefit the NFL's Youth Education Town and to rebuild a football facility used by several area high school teams. He also renovated a transportation van for Children's Hospital – a facility that Brees remains closely affiliated with, donated funds to youth and high school football programs, sponsored The Drew Brees Gridiron Classic for Pop Warner and American Youth Football teams that faced off at the Superdome during halftime of a Saints game, landscaped an area middle school, participated in a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and holds an annual charity golf tournament through the Brees Dream Foundation that distributes money to children's causes in New Orleans and San Diego…Also holds a “Brees on the Seas” youth fishing event that takes children deep sea fishing off the Louisiana coastline with other Saints’ players...Led Westlake (Austin, Texas) HS to 16-0 record and State 5A title as senior...Posted a 28-0-1 record as two-year starter...Selected as the Texas Class 5A MVP in 1996...Also lettered in basketball and in baseball as a shortstop...His father, Chip, played freshman basketball at Texas A&M and his grandfather, Ray Akins, finished his career with the third-most wins all-time among prep football coaches in Texas...Uncle, Marty Akins, was three-year starting quarterback and All-America at Texas (1975-77)...Married, Brittany, and the couple has restored an old home in uptown New Orleans...Flew in an F/A-18 with the Blue Angels recently in the offseason, and he and Brittany also traveled to Croatia and Greece...In 2004 Brees took a three-week vacation in Australia, including diving off the Great Barrier Reef with his wife...In 2003, the couple honeymooned in Tahiti, and also in 2003 spent two weeks in Africa, where they rode on several safaris...His younger brother, Reid, was a shortstop at Baylor and played in the College World Series in 2005.