History of Drew Brees in Timeline

Drew Brees is a retired American football quarterback who played 20 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the New Orleans Saints. He holds numerous NFL records, including being second all-time in passing yards, touchdown passes, and pass completions. He is also recognized for his high completion percentage and held the record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Brees is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Sections (5)

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

1967: Last Big Ten Championship

In 2000, Drew Brees led the Purdue Boilermakers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967.

1972: Uncle Plays for Texas Longhorns

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

1975: Uncle Plays for Texas Longhorns

From 1972 to 1975, Drew Brees' 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 in Dallas, Texas, to Eugene Wilson "Chip" Brees II and Mina Ruth.

1980: Highest Spot Since 1980

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

1981: Brother's Birth

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

1982: Dan Fouts's record in 1982

Drew Brees averaged 342.25 yards passing per game in 2011, which broke Dan Fouts's record of 320.3 in a strike-shortened 1982 season.

1984: Marino's record in 1984

In 2008, Drew Brees finished 15 yards short of the NFL record for passing yards thrown in a single season set by Dan Marino in 1984.

1989: Academic All-America Honors

In 2000, as a senior, Brees became the first Boilermaker since Bruce Brineman in 1989 to earn Academic All-America honors.

1996: State Championship Win

In 1996, Drew Brees led the Austin Westlake High School football team to a 16-0 record and a state championship.

1998: Ties NCAA Completion Record

In 1998, Drew Brees tied an NCAA single-game record with 55 completions in a game against Wisconsin.

September 25, 1999: Ties NCAA Record

On September 25, 1999, 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: Leads Boilermakers to Big Ten Championship

In 2000, Drew Brees led the Purdue Boilermakers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967.

2000: Wins Maxwell Award

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

November 4, 2001: First NFL Game

On November 4, 2001, Drew Brees played in his first professional game against the Kansas City Chiefs, relieving Doug Flutie and throwing his first career touchdown.

2001: Graduates from Purdue

In 2001, Drew Brees graduated from Purdue University with a degree in industrial management.

2001: Rose Bowl Appearance

In 2001, Drew Brees helped lead Purdue to the Rose Bowl, their first appearance since 1967.

2001: NFL Draft Selection

In 2001, Drew Brees was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers, after playing college football for Purdue.

2001: Wins NCAA's Today's Top VIII Award

In 2001, Drew Brees won the NCAA's Today's Top VIII Award as a member of the Class of 2001.

2001: Drafted by the San Diego Chargers

In the 2001 NFL draft, Drew Brees was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 32nd overall pick.

August 19, 2002: Named Starting Quarterback

On August 19, 2002, Drew Brees was named the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers for the 2002 season.

2002: Gannon's 2002 record

In 2008, Drew Brees tied Rich Gannon's 2002 record by passing for 300 yards ten times during the season.

February 2003: Married Brittany Dudchenko

In February 2003, Drew Brees married his college sweetheart, Brittany Dudchenko, marking the beginning of their family life together.

2003: Founded Brees Dream Foundation

In 2003, Drew Brees and his wife Brittany established the Brees Dream Foundation to support cancer patients and research, honoring Brittany's late aunt.

2003: Touchdown Reception

In 2003, Drew Brees recorded a 21-yard touchdown reception on a pass thrown by LaDainian Tomlinson.

2004: Free Agency After Season

After the 2004 season, Brees became a free agent, with his return to San Diego uncertain.

2004: Breakout Season

In 2004, Brees had a breakout season with the Chargers, earning Pro Bowl and Comeback Player of the Year honors.

2004: AFC West Title and Pro Bowl Selection

In 2004, Drew Brees led the Chargers to an AFC West title and was selected to the Pro Bowl, also named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

2004: Guaranteed Starting Job

In 2004, after performing well in training camp, Drew Brees essentially guaranteed himself the starting job with the Chargers.

2005: Saints struggle during the 2005 season

Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Saints were unable to play in New Orleans during the 2005 season and struggled to a 3–13 record.

2005: Brother Plays in College World Series

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

2005: Tore Labrum in Shoulder

In 2005, Drew Brees faced a significant challenge when he tore the labrum in his shoulder, an injury that he said strengthened his relationship with God.

2005: Tears Labrum

In 2005, Drew Brees tore his labrum in the last game of the season against the Denver Broncos.

2005: Franchise Player Designation

In 2005, the Chargers designated Drew Brees a franchise player, giving him a one-year contract, but allowing him to be traded.

January 5, 2006: Shoulder Surgery

On January 5, 2006, Drew Brees underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder.

March 14, 2006: Brees signs with the Saints

On March 14, 2006, Drew Brees signed a six-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints after negotiations with the Miami Dolphins fell through due to concerns about his shoulder injury.

2006: Joins the Saints

In 2006, Brees joined the New Orleans Saints and brought new success to the franchise.

2006: Relationship Issues with Mother

In 2006, Drew Brees described his relationship with his mother as "nonexistent" due to professional disagreements.

2006: Brees leads the Saints to a successful 2006 season

In 2006, Drew Brees had a productive first year with the Saints, leading the team to a 10–6 regular season record and winning the NFC South division title.

January 5, 2007: Brees named first runner-up for league MVP

On January 5, 2007, Drew Brees was named first runner-up behind LaDainian Tomlinson for league MVP by the Associated Press and was named co-recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

January 13, 2007: Brees's first playoff game for New Orleans

On January 13, 2007, Drew Brees played in his first playoff game for New Orleans, leading the Saints to a 27–24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round.

February 18, 2007: Honored as Grand Marshal of Bacchus Parade

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

2007: Partnered with Operation Kids

In 2007, Drew Brees' Dream Foundation partnered with Operation Kids to rebuild and restore academic and athletic facilities in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

2007: Brees sets NFL record in 2007

In the 2007 season, Drew Brees passed for 4,423 yards and set the NFL record for pass completions in a single season with 440.

February 2008: Promotional Deal with Chili's Grill & Bar

In February 2008, Drew Brees signed a promotional deal with Chili's Grill & Bar to promote their hamburgers and raise money for charity.

June 2008: Participated in Pro Sports Team Challenge

In June 2008, Drew Brees participated in the Pro Sports Team Challenge, helping to raise money for Operation Kids.

2008: Brees throws for over 5,000 yards in 2008

In 2008, Drew Brees finished the season with 5,069 passing yards, becoming the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season.

2008: Brees named AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2008

In 2008, Drew Brees was named AP Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to his third career Pro Bowl.

January 2009: Birth of First Son

In January 2009, Drew Brees and his wife Brittany welcomed their first son, expanding their family.

June 2009: Visited Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp

In June 2009, Drew Brees visited the Guantanamo Bay detention camp as part of a USO tour.

August 7, 2009: Death of Mother, Mina Brees

On August 7, 2009, Drew Brees's mother, Mina Brees, passed away at the age of 59, marking a personal tragedy for Brees and his family.

2009: Saints secure #1 seed in the NFC in 2009

Drew Brees helped the Saints achieve a 13–3 record in 2009, securing the #1 seed in the NFC and setting a single-season franchise record for victories.

2009: Mother's Death

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

2009: Inducted into Purdue Hall of Fame

In 2009, Drew Brees was inducted into Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.

2009: Brees throws six touchdowns in 2009 season opener

In the first game of the 2009 season, Drew Brees set a career-high and franchise-tying record with six touchdown passes against the Detroit Lions.

2009: 2009 Super Bowl Winning Season

The Saints advanced to their first NFC Championship Game since their 2009 Super Bowl winning season.

February 7, 2010: Saints win Super Bowl XLIV

On February 7, 2010, Drew Brees led the New Orleans Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts, earning the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award.

February 14, 2010: Presided as Bacchus XLII

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

March 30, 2010: Became Spokesperson for AdvoCare

On March 30, 2010, Drew Brees became the national spokesperson for AdvoCare International, a multi-level marketing company.

April 2010: Cover Athlete for Madden NFL 11

In April 2010, Drew Brees was voted by fans to be the cover athlete for the EA Sports Madden NFL 11 video game, a significant recognition of his popularity and success.

June 2010: Appointed to President's Council

In June 2010, President Obama appointed Drew Brees to be co-chair of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

July 6, 2010: Released "Coming Back Stronger"

On July 6, 2010, Drew Brees released his first book, "Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity," which quickly became a nonfiction bestseller.

October 2010: Birth of Second Son

In October 2010, Drew Brees and his wife Brittany welcomed their second son, further expanding their family.

October 2010: Appeared in It Gets Better Video

In October 2010, Drew Brees appeared in an It Gets Better video, delivering an anti-bullying message.

December 17, 2010: Brees named AP Male Athlete of the Year

On December 17, 2010, Drew Brees was named AP Male Athlete of the Year for his Super Bowl win and charitable work.

2010: Appeared in Entourage Season 7 Finale

In 2010, Drew Brees made a cameo appearance in the Season 7 finale of the television show Entourage.

2010: Ranked on Big Ten Icons

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

2010: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

In 2010, Sports Illustrated recognized Drew Brees as Sportsman of the Year for leading the Saints to their first Super Bowl title and aiding New Orleans' recovery after Hurricane Katrina.

2010: Saints qualify for playoffs in 2010

In the 2010 regular season, Drew Brees helped lead the Saints to a six-game winning streak late in the season and the Saints qualified for the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

2011: Previous Record of 468 Completions

In 2011, Drew Brees previously set an NFL record with 468 completions which he broke in 2016.

2011: Brees ranked ninth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2011

In 2011, Drew Brees was ranked ninth on the NFL Top 100 Players list, as voted by his peers.

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 honor of Drew Brees and Bob Griese.

2011: Brees breaks Marino's passing yards record in 2011

In Week 16 of 2011 against the Atlanta Falcons, Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's longstanding record for passing yards in a single season with a touchdown pass to Darren Sproles.

2011: Brees achieves "Triple Crown" in 2011

The 2011 season was a record-breaking season for Drew Brees as he led the NFL in completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns, which is known as the "Triple Crown".

August 2012: Birth of Third Son

In August 2012, Drew Brees and his wife Brittany welcomed their third son, adding another member to their growing family.

2012: Brees ranked second-best player in 2012

Drew Brees was ranked as the second-best player in the league by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.

2012: Brees plays under interim head coaches in 2012

Due to Sean Payton's suspension, Drew Brees played under offensive line coach Aaron Kromer and later Joe Vitt as temporary head coaches during the 2012 season.

2012: 2012 Season Performance

In 2012, Drew Brees experienced both highs and lows. He threw a career-high five interceptions in Week 13, ending his consecutive game streak with a touchdown pass. However, he surpassed Peyton Manning's mark with his seventh straight 4,000-yard passing season and achieved his fifth straight season with at least 30 touchdown passes and 4,000 yards passing. Despite his 5,177 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, the Saints finished with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs due to the league's worst defensive support.

2012: Sold San Diego Home

In 2012, Drew Brees sold his home in San Diego, marking a transition in his off-season residence.

October 2013: NCAA Record Broken

In October 2013, Drew Brees' NCAA record for pass attempts in a game (83) was broken by Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday.

2013: Successful 2013 Season

In 2013, Drew Brees led the Saints to an 11-5 record. He earned three NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards. Brees passed Warren Moon for fifth on the career passing yards list and became the fastest player to reach 50,000 career passing yards. He was named to his eighth career Pro Bowl and extended his NFL record to a sixth straight season of at least 30 touchdown passes with 4,000 passing yards, his third straight 5,000-yard season, and his eighth straight 4,000-yard season. The Saints narrowly defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round.

2013: Selected to 2013 Pro Bowl

In 2013, Drew Brees was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Robert Griffin III. He was also ranked 11th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2013: Manning bests Brees's record in 2013

In 2013, Peyton Manning surpassed Drew Brees's single-season passing yard record, finishing with 5,477 yards.

2013: Last Playoff Appearance Until 2017

The 2013 season was the last time the Saints made the playoffs until 2017.

August 2014: Birth of Daughter

In August 2014, Drew Brees and his wife Brittany welcomed their daughter, completing their family with three sons and one daughter.

2014: 2014 Season Achievements

Drew Brees described the 2014 season as his "most frustrating" as the Saints finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs. He moved into fourth place on the career passing yardage list. Brees became the NFL's all-time leader in completion percentage. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week for a Week 13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He extended his streak to an NFL-record seventh straight season with at least 30 touchdown passes and nine straight seasons of 4,000 passing yards. He tied for the league lead in passing yards with 4,952. He was named to his ninth career Pro Bowl.

2014: Brees on NFLPA executive committee through 2014

Drew Brees served on the executive committee of the National Football League Players Association through the 2014 season.

2014: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2014

In 2014, Drew Brees was ranked sixth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2014: Clarifies Naming Legend

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

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

In May 2015, Drew Brees purchased a 25% stake in "Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar", expanding his business ventures.

October 4, 2015: 400th Career Touchdown Pass

On October 4, 2015, Drew Brees threw his 400th career touchdown pass, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to reach this milestone. He was the fastest to reach 400 touchdowns. He also completed his 5,000th pass. The Saints won against the Dallas Cowboys 26-20 in overtime. Brees earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

November 1, 2015: Ties NFL Record for Touchdown Passes in a Game

On November 1, 2015, Drew Brees tied the NFL record with seven touchdown passes in a game against the New York Giants. He threw for 505 yards, marking his second career game with at least 500 passing yards, and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

2015: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2015

In 2015, Drew Brees was ranked 30th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2016: 2016 Season Statistical Achievements

Drew Brees led the league in passing yards with 5,208 in the 2016 season, his second most of his career. He also recorded his fifth 5,000-yard season. Brees set an NFL record with 471 completions, broke his own record, and had a career-high 673 attempts. He was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl for his 2016 season.

2016: Original Opinion on Anthem Kneeling

In 2016, Drew Brees held the opinion that kneeling during the national anthem was disrespectful to the flag and the U.S., a stance he reiterated in 2020.

2016: 2016 Season Opener Performance

In the Saints' 2016 season opener, Drew Brees threw a career-high 98-yard touchdown pass. He finished the game with 423 passing yards and four touchdown passes, tying him with Peyton Manning for the most 400-yard passing games in NFL history.

December 19, 2017: Named to 11th Career Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Drew Brees was named to his 11th career Pro Bowl.

2017: Led Saints to Division Title

From 2017 to 2020, Brees led the Saints to four consecutive division titles.

2017: Set NFL Record for Completion Percentage in 2017

In 2017, Drew Brees set an NFL record for completion percentage (72.0%) and lead the league in number of completions (386) and yards per pass attempt (8.1), and finished second in passer rating (103.9).

2017: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

In 2017, Drew Brees was ranked 16th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 13, 2018: Signed Contract Extension with Saints

On March 13, 2018, Drew Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Saints, which included $27 million guaranteed.

April 2018: Filed Lawsuit Against Jeweler

In April 2018, Drew Brees filed a lawsuit against a San Diego jeweler, claiming over $15 million was paid for diamonds valued at only $6 million.

2018: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2018

In 2018, Drew Brees was ranked eighth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2018: Award Renamed in Honor of Alan Page

In 2018, the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award was renamed in honor of Alan Page.

March 2019: Partnered for New Restaurant Launch

In March 2019, Drew Brees partnered with Brandon Landry to launch a new restaurant, further expanding his business ventures.

June 21, 2019: Awarded $6 Million in Lawsuit

On June 21, 2019, Drew Brees was awarded $6 million in a lawsuit against a San Diego jeweler over misrepresented diamond investments.

August 2019: Owned Nine Jimmy John's Stores

As of August 2019, Drew Brees owned nine Jimmy John's stores, with a tenth under construction, demonstrating his entrepreneurial endeavors.

2019: 2019 Season Achievements

During the 2019 season, Drew Brees suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb which caused him to miss six to eight weeks. He returned in Week 8. During Week 15 on Monday Night Football, Brees broke Peyton Manning's record for most career touchdowns and set a single-game record of 96.7% completion percentage rate. In 11 games played, he finished the season with 2,979 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 74.34%. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December.

2019: Partnered with San Diego Surf Sports

In 2019, Drew Brees partnered with San Diego Surf Sports to support youth sports in the San Diego area, demonstrating his commitment to community involvement.

2019: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2019

In 2019, Drew Brees was ranked as the second best player in the NFL by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 17, 2020: Signed Two-Year Contract Extension with Saints

On March 17, 2020, Drew Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the New Orleans Saints, ensuring his continued presence with the team.

June 3, 2020: Controversial Statement on Kneeling During Anthem

On June 3, 2020, Drew Brees faced backlash for stating his opposition to kneeling during the national anthem, leading to criticism from teammates and fellow athletes.

July 2020: $5 Million Donation for Healthcare Centers

In July 2020, Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, donated $5 million through their foundation to help build healthcare centers throughout Louisiana, partnering with Ochsner Health System.

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

On November 15, 2020, Drew Brees sustained a rib injury during the Saints' Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers, leading to his exit from the game.

November 20, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve

On November 20, 2020, Drew Brees was placed on injured reserve due to multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung, sidelining him for at least three games.

December 19, 2020: Activated from Injured Reserve

On December 19, 2020, Drew Brees was activated from injured reserve for the Saints' Week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs and surpassed Anthony Calvillo for first place in career passing yards in any professional outdoor gridiron football league.

2020: Retirement from NFL

Drew Brees retired from the NFL after the 2020 season, following 15 seasons in New Orleans.

2020: Led Saints to Division Title

From 2017 to 2020, Brees led the Saints to four consecutive division titles, and in 2020 he finished his 15th season in New Orleans.

2020: NFL Top 100 Players of 2020

In 2020, Drew Brees was ranked 12th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking another achievement in his career.

February 6, 2021: Saints Renegotiated Brees' Contract

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

March 14, 2021: Announced Retirement from NFL

On March 14, 2021, Drew Brees announced his retirement from the NFL after twenty seasons, marking the end of an era.

June 11, 2021: Placed on Reserve/Retired List

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

May 15, 2022: Left NBC Sports

On May 15, 2022, Drew Brees left NBC Sports after one season, concluding his role as a color analyst for Notre Dame games and Football Night in America.