New Orleans Saints Fact of the Day for Thursday, March 5, 2015:
Drew Brees reached 4,000 completions in 169 regular season games, the fastest pace in NFL history.
To celebrate Drew Brees' 36th birthday, here are 36 stats about the Saints quarterback.
- Brees ranks first in Saints franchise history in attempts (5,649), completions (3,812), completion percentage (67.5 percent), passing yardage (43,685) and touchdown passes (316). These five statistics also rank first in the NFL since he signed with the Saints in 2006. Brees' 66.2 career completion percentage ranks first in NFL record books.
- In throwing for 56,033 career passing yards and 396 touchdowns, Brees ranks second among active players in these two categories behind Peyton Manning, fourth overall.
3. Brees is only the third player in NFL history to throw for 40 or more touchdowns twice, joining Dan Marino and Manning.
4. Brees and his wife Brittany have four children: Sons Baylen, Bowen and Callen and the family's newest addition daughter Rylen. Drew and Baylen, share Jan. 15 birthdays, Drew turning 36 and Baylen turning 6.
5. The number of seasons that Brees has led or tied for the NFL lead in passing yardage, most recently tying for the lead in 2014 with 4,952 yards. Brees' five passing yardage titles tie him for the most in NFL history with Sonny Jurgensen and Marino.
- The career-high number of touchdown passes Brees tossed on Sept. 13, 2009 in a 45-27 season-opening victory over Detroit, tied for the club record with Billy Kilmer (at St. Louis, 11/2/69).
- The number of seasons overall and the NFL-record number of consecutive campaigns that Brees has thrown for at least 30 touchdowns, including tossing for 33 in 2014.
- The franchise record number of seasons, including this past when Brees has been selected to the Pro Bowl as a Saint, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle William Roaf (seven).
- NFL-record stretch of consecutive games with at least 300 yards passing, which he's accomplished twice.
- Brees connected with rookie receiver Brandin Cooks (No. 10 in your program) 53 times in just 10 games this past season.
- The number of regular season contests where Brees has thrown for 400 yards, third all-time in the NFL.
- The number of seasons Brees has thrown for at least 3,000 yards, tied for fourth in NFL history.
- The number of rushing touchdowns in Brees' career.
- The number of seasons Brees has played in the NFL, the last nine with the Saints.
- The number of passes Brees completed in first NFL game on Nov. 4, 2001 with the San Diego Chargers.
- The number of one of Brees' all-time favorite targets, Lance Moore. They connected on 38 touchdowns with the Saints.
- The number of Saints running backs, wide receivers and tight ends Brees completed a pass to in 2014. Brees also completed passes to 17 Saints in 2006 and 2008.
- The club-record number of NFC Player of the Week awards won by Brees as a Saint and the most conference player of the week honors since 2006.
- Brees holds 19 of the club's top 20 single-game passing yardage totals.
- The current running number of consecutive games Brees has thrown for at least 200 yards, dating to Dec. 8, 2013. Previously Brees had done so for 44 consecutive games from 2011-13.
22. Brees entered the NFL 14 years ago at 22 years old. In 14 seasons, he has completed 4,937 of 7,458 passes (66.2 percent) for 56,033 yards with 396 touchdowns and a 95.4 passer rating.
- From the time of Archie Manning's last start as a Saint in 1981, Brees in 2006 was the 21st player to start a game at quarterback for the Saints during that time period.
- Brees threw 23 touchdowns to Antonio Gates, the most to any player during his time with the San Diego Chargers.
- The 24 passes for 25 or more yards that Brees has thrown at the Georgia Dome are the most for him at any road venue.
- Brees has 25 fourth-quarter comebacks as a Saint, the fourth-most in the NFL in that period (since 2006.)
- Brees has thrown at least four touchdown passes in 26 regular-season games, which is currently ranked second all-time behind Peyton Manning (35).
- During Brees' nine Pro Bowl selections with New Orleans and San Diego, 16 of his teammates with both clubs have accumulated 27 total Pro Bowl selections in the same seasons.
- The number of touchdown passes Brees threw in 2007, his second season with the Saints.
- The number of regular season games that Brees has exceeded a 75.0 completion percentage as a Saint.
- Brees is the first quarterback in NFL record books to throw for 30 touchdowns in seven consecutive seasons.
- With 4,937 career completions, Brees ranks fourth in NFL record books. With 31 more completions, Brees would move into third place all-time.
- Number of passes he completed in Super Bowl XLIV
33. His 33 touchdown passes in 2014 were tied for fifth in the NFL with Tom Brady.
- Number of Saints teammates who have caught a touchdown pass from Brees.
- Brees is one of only three NFL players to have at least 35 touchdown passes in three consecutive seasons.
- Brees has averaged 36.92 pass attempts a game in his career.Â
