Drew Brees - An Unqualified Career Retrospective

 I don’t have much to say vis-a-vis Drew Brees. Rather, I don’t have much to add to the pile of career retrospectives.

Drew Brees first came to my awareness after Hurricane Katrina and his Super Bowl win with the Saints. I wasn’t particularly connected to football - or the wider world culture(s) - when I was in high school. But after that, everyone wanted to talk about how he was almost a Dolphin but Nick Savan passed on him.

So, while the Saints went on their magical 15? 17? year run, I mostly ignored Drew Brees and the SAints. As a Dolphins fan, it wasn’t too hard. Different conferece made it easier. That he was always (at least) third billed of the quarterbacks in the League made it nearly effortless.

And I think that’s what I’d like to take away from his career.

I was listening to Rich Eisen, today, talk about Brees’s career accomplishments. Brees is not the first 5,000 yard in-season passer. He is the only quarterback to do it twice - Brees did it five times. Five times.

And yet we only had love in our mouths for Manning and Brady in the first half of his career, and Rodgers and Brady for the second half. Mahomes-Brady this year. And of course it was Brady who ended his career with a loss at home.

Brees is a testament to the fact that our narratives are not our own to write.

First he was too small. Then his shoulder was too shot. Then there were more interesting guys to talk about. Meanwhile he’s consistntly great.

During his career, it was all, “Sure, but–” when people would talk about Brees. He had the coach. The Super Bowl was granted him by the defense. All of those 5,000-yard seasons, the touchdown records, the wins, they were “Yeah… but–”

It is a bummer to see him go.

I have had the particular distinction of rooting against him in all his Playoff appearances because I thought the other team was more interesting. Do not regret the Minneapolis Miracle. Keenam to Diggs is one of my favorite football memories ever.

My point, if I had one, is that I hope Brees isn’t remembered how I’ve seen him and he’s been portrayed. He was one of the greats.

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