The best player in franchise history became that way in part because he wanted to be the best teammate in franchise history.
As former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees on Thursday concluded a litany of truths during his induction speech for the Saints Hall of Fame – many of them comedic backstories about his early seasons with the Saints – the thread that wove them all together was he wanted to be available for his guys.
"I learned so many things playing professional football," Brees said from the dais in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Riverside hotel. "I learned about leadership, I learned about perseverance, I learned about overcoming adversity. But the thing that I learned most about this game and about playing for this organization, was how to be a great teammate. And I learned that because I was surrounded by great teammates. Every day."
Several of those teammates were present Thursday, including tight end Jimmy Graham (Brees' presenter), linebacker Jonathan Vilma, safety Roman Harper, linebackers Scott Shanle and Scott Fujita, running back Pierre Thomas, receiver Lance Moore, offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod and defensive end Jeff Charleston.
And with the Saints (2-4) scheduled to face Denver (3-3) hours later in the Caesars Superdome, and several former Saints coaches now helping comprise Denver's staff, Broncos Coach Sean Payton, Pete Carmichael, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive line coach Zach Strief dropped in to offer congratulations to Brees.
"I probably played four years longer than I ever could have expected," said Brees, a Saints from 2006-20, who currently sits second all-time in NFL passing yards (80,358), touchdown passes (571), completions (7,142) and completion percentage (67.7). He holds the NFL record with a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games.
"I went into the 17th season (2017) honestly feeling like that could potentially be my last season. I kept playing in large part because of my kids, knowing that this would be something that they would remember for the rest of their life. And to see, now that they were old enough to understand, the things that helped to mold me and strengthen me along the way.
"Being in the locker room watching guys like Jimmy Graham, like Michael Thomas, like Zach Strief. Like so many guys who just worked through so much, struggled through so much and just be the same guy every day. That's why I played those extra years.
"But I also played those extra years because every day I woke up saying to myself, 'I want to win for the guys in the locker room. I do not want to let them down. I have too much to play for.'"
It was an appreciated extension. Brees started all 228 games he played in New Orleans and was the Most Valuable Player when the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV. He also started 58 of 59 games played for the San Diego Chargers.
"Drew was one of the reasons I came, he was one of the reasons we won the Super Bowl, the best team I ever had," said Vilma, who was acquired by the Saints for two draft picks in 2008. "I can't say enough about Drew and what it means to be here, him being honored and me being in the presence of him being honored. It was the best years I had in my career. It was a great time."
"Drew was a big brother to me, and you look out for family," Thomas said. "Drew is always going to be family, just like all of those guys I played with. We support each other – sometimes we text from a distance or a call, but I got the chance to be here in person to see this moment for a man that actually deserves it.
"I would say he gave the city and people hope. He showed us what it is to be a leader, that we can count on him to deliver at any time. He showed the same thing with the city, and he's done so much for the city. He's shown that he's a man of compassion and hard work, a man of loyalty. He'll always be a Saint, and people love him for that."
Brees, who is eligible to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026, said his Saints Hall of Fame induction was special.
"There's no greater organization to be a part of than the Saints Hall of Fame, because of all the incredible people, all of the incredible teammates that get to share in this," he said. "And the moments that we will continue to share in the future as we watch our kids and our families grow up together. We're always reminded of the years that truly molded us."
Along with Brees, longtime Saints press box announcer Doug Moreau will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame as the Joe Gemelli Fleur De Lis Award winner, presented to individuals who give time and devotion for the betterment of the franchise.
