Drew Brees's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Drew Brees. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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.

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".

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: 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.

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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.

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: 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.

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.