Early Life and Education of Drew Brees: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Drew Brees. A timeline of key moments.

Drew Brees is a retired American football quarterback who played in the NFL for 20 seasons, primarily with the New Orleans Saints. He is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, holding numerous records including consecutive games with a touchdown pass, and ranking among the top in career passing yards, touchdown passes, and pass completions. Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1967: Last Big Ten Championship

Drew Brees led the Boilermakers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967.

1972: Uncle's Football Career Begins

From 1972 to 1975, Drew Brees's maternal uncle, Marty Akins, was an All-American starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns college football team.

1975: Uncle's Football Career Ends

From 1972 to 1975, Drew Brees's maternal uncle, Marty Akins, was an All-American starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns college football team.

January 15, 1979: Drew Brees Born

On January 15, 1979, Drew Christopher Brees was born. He would go on to become a celebrated NFL quarterback.

1980: Highest ranking since 1980

In 2000, Drew Brees helped lead Purdue to a #9 ranking in the AP Poll, the program's highest spot since the 1980 season.

1981: Birth of Younger Brother

In 1981, Drew Brees' younger brother, Reid, was born.

1989: Academic All-America honors

As a senior, Drew Brees became the first Boilermaker since Bruce Brineman in 1989 to earn Academic All-America honors.

1996: State Championship Win

In 1996, Drew Brees was selected as Texas High School 5A Most Valuable Offensive Player and led the Austin Westlake High School football team to a 16–0 record and a state championship.

1998: NCAA Record

In the 1998 season, during a game against Wisconsin, Drew Brees tied an NCAA single-game record with 55 completions and set the NCAA record for pass attempts in a single game with 83.

September 25, 1999: Tied NCAA Record

On September 25, 1999, Drew Brees tied an NCAA record with a 99-yard pass to receiver Vinny Sutherland against Northwestern.

1999: Davey O'Brien Award Finalist

In 1999, Drew Brees was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's best quarterback.

2000: Big Ten Championship

In 2000, Drew Brees led the Purdue Boilermakers to memorable upsets against top-ranked Ohio State and Michigan en route to the Boilermakers' first Big Ten championship since 1967.

2000: Maxwell Award Winner

In 2000, Drew Brees won the Maxwell Award as the nation's outstanding player.

2001: Rose Bowl Appearance

Due to head-to-head victories over Michigan and Northwestern in 2000, Drew Brees helped lead Purdue to the 2001 Rose Bowl, which was the school's first appearance there since 1967.

2001: Graduation from Purdue

In 2001, Drew Brees graduated from Purdue with a degree in industrial management and became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

2001: NFL Draft Selection

In 2001, Drew Brees was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers, following a successful college football career at Purdue.

2001: NCAA's Today's Top VIII Award

In 2001, Drew Brees won the NCAA's Today's Top VIII Award.

February 2003: Marriage to Brittany Dudchenko

In February 2003, Drew Brees married his college sweetheart, Brittany Dudchenko.

2005: Brother's Baseball Team in College World Series

In 2005, Drew Brees's younger brother, Reid, was an outfielder for the Baylor Bears baseball team, which made the College World Series.

January 5, 2006: Surgery to repair torn labrum

On January 5, 2006, Drew Brees underwent arthroscopic surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews, to repair the torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder. Subsequent reports mentioned additional partial rotator cuff damage and he was also treated by Dr. Saby Szajowitz to recover and regain muscle movement.

March 14, 2006: Signed with the New Orleans Saints

On March 14, 2006, Drew Brees signed a six-year, $60 million deal with the Saints. This happened after the Dolphins were unsure about Brees' shoulder and traded for Daunte Culpepper instead. The Dolphins' decision not to sign Brees led to Nick Saban's resignation to coach for Alabama Crimson Tide.

February 18, 2007: Grand Marshal of Bacchus Parade

On February 18, 2007, Drew Brees was honored as the 2007 Grand Marshal of the Bacchus parade by the Krewe of Bacchus, a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade organization.

June 2008: Participation in Pro Sports Team Challenge

In June 2008, Drew Brees participated in the Pro Sports Team Challenge, a competition for professional athletes designed to help raise money for various charities. Brees represented Operation Kids in the challenge.

June 2009: Visit to Guantanamo Bay

In late June 2009, Drew Brees visited the Guantanamo Bay detention camp as part of a USO tour. After his return, Brees commented that Guantanamo captives were being treated better than convicts in U.S. prisons.

August 7, 2009: Death of Mina Brees

On August 7, 2009, Drew Brees's mother, Mina Brees, passed away at age 59 from a prescription drug overdose, which was ruled a suicide. Brees was temporarily excused from training camp due to the "family matter."

2009: Inducted into Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

In 2009, Drew Brees was inducted into Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements as a Boilermaker.

2009: Mother's Death

In 2009, Drew Brees' mother, Mina Ruth Akins, passed away. She was an attorney.

February 14, 2010: Bacchus XLII for the 2010 parade

On February 14, 2010, one week after the Super Bowl during Mardi Gras season, Drew Brees presided as Bacchus XLII for the 2010 parade.

July 6, 2010: Release of "Coming Back Stronger"

On July 6, 2010, Drew Brees released his first book, "Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity", co-authored by Chris Fabry, which opened at number 3 on The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list.

October 2010: It Gets Better Video Appearance

In October 2010, Drew Brees appeared in an It Gets Better video, delivering an anti-bullying message in response to a series of suicides committed by gay teenagers.

2010: Big Ten Icons Documentary

In 2010, Drew Brees was ranked number 48 on the Big Ten Icons documentary, featuring the conference's top fifty student-athletes.

2011: Quarterback of the Year Award Named

In 2011, the Big Ten Conference's Griese–Brees Quarterback of the Year award was initiated and named in Drew Brees' and Bob Griese's honor.

2012: Brees entered season with temporary head coach

In 2012, due to Sean Payton's suspension, Drew Brees began the season with Aaron Kromer as the temporary head coach for the first six games, followed by Joe Vitt taking over head coaching duties after Week 8.

2014: Clarification on Naming

In a 2014 interview, Drew Brees clarified that the story of him being named after Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson was "just legend".

May 2015: Stake in Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar

In May 2015, Drew Brees purchased a 25% stake in Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar, a sports bar that originated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

April 2018: Lawsuit Against San Diego Jeweler

In April 2018, Drew Brees filed a lawsuit against a San Diego jeweler, claiming that he and his wife paid $15 million for investment-grade diamonds that were later appraised at only $6 million.

June 21, 2019: $6 Million Award in Lawsuit

On June 21, 2019, Drew Brees was awarded $6 million in the lawsuit against a San Diego jeweler, relating to the purchase of investment-grade diamonds.

June 3, 2020: Controversy over National Anthem Comments

On June 3, 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Drew Brees stated to Yahoo Finance that he maintained his 2016 opinion that kneeling during the national anthem was disrespectful. This statement drew criticism from teammates and other professional athletes, leading to a subsequent apology.

November 15, 2020: Rib Injury During Game Against 49ers

On November 15, 2020, Drew Brees exited the Saints' Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half with a rib injury from a sack attempt by Kentavius Street. Before leaving, he completed 8 of 13 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown.

November 20, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve

On November 20, 2020, Drew Brees was placed on injured reserve after suffering multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung, ruling him out for at least the next three games.

February 6, 2021: Contract Renegotiation with Saints

On February 6, 2021, Drew Brees' contract with the Saints was renegotiated, reducing his salary to $1.075 million for the upcoming season to create salary cap space.

March 14, 2021: Retirement Announcement

On March 14, 2021, exactly 15 years after signing his first contract with the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees announced his retirement from professional football after twenty seasons.

June 11, 2021: Placed on Reserve/Retired List

On June 11, 2021, the Saints placed Drew Brees on their reserve/retired list, officially marking his departure from the team.

May 15, 2022: Departure from NBC Sports

On May 15, 2022, Drew Brees left NBC Sports after one season, where he served as a color analyst for Notre Dame games and on Football Night in America.