Two months after Drew Brees set the record for the most passing yards in NFL history, the longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback sent former teammates balls commemorating the achievement and thanking them for their help along the way.
Brees told reporters (via ESPN), “I wanted to do something for everybody,” and that he wanted to, “take care of those who take care of me.”
Thank you @drewbrees and @saints for this token of appreciation. I’m at a loss for words and can only say that it was a privilege and honor to be your teammate. You’re a class act brother and one of the greatest to ever do it!!! #Thankful 🙏🏼 #Salute ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/N5X5iJKdZ9
— Mike Karney (@Karney44) December 13, 2018
After breaking what was Peyton Manning’s record during a “Monday Night Football” game against the Washington Redskins, Brees originally thought of sending a ball to every player who caught a pass from him, he said.
“And then I started thinking, ‘Well, it’s not just about the receivers, it’s about the guys blocking.’ So it’s like, ‘All right, let’s find every offensive lineman that’s ever started a game,’ ” Brees said. “So we did that. Then I started thinking about coaches, then I started thinking about other people as well. So it was actually a long list. But I just wanted to do that for them.”
The Saints front office and public relations staff helped track people down and verify addresses. The balls were shipped out earlier this week. Among the recipients was James Andrews, the surgeon who operated on Brees’s shoulder in 2006 to repair a torn labrum. The successful procedure opened the door for the Saints to sign him after San Diego didn’t renew his contract in 2005.
“It’s him,” Saints tight end Benjamin Watson, who is in his fifth season playing with Brees, said. “It’s surprising, but it’s not surprising at the same time that he would give a special thanks to the guys that helped him along the way.”
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