Born January 15, 1979 in Dallas, TX, Drew Brees or legally, Andrew Christopher Brees, attended Westlake HS in Austin, where he lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball. In 1996, as a senior, Drew led his High School team to a perfect 16-0 season. Under his leadership, they also won the 5A State Championship and Drew was named the 5A Offensive Player of the Year.
After high school, Drew went on to attend Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Management from the prestigious Krannert School of Management. Drew also lettered in Football from 1997 – 2000 finishing two of the four seasons as a Heisman finalist. While in college, he achieved just about everything imaginable, including winning a Big Ten Championship, an appearance in the Rose Bowl, the Maxwell Award for Top College Player and Academic All-American Player in his final season.
Throughout Drew’s NFL career he has been selected to four Pro Bowls, named the 2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and honored with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2006. In 2008, Drew took home the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, but the best was still to come. In 2009, all of Drew’s on the field accolades culminated into what would be the highlight of any professional football players career as he led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory and was named MVP of the game.
While all of this is certainly impressive, he has just as much to be proud of off the field. In 2003, Drew and his wife Brittany started the Brees Dream Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to advance cancer research, help care for cancer patients; particularly children, as well as rebuild parks, schools, and athletic fields in New Orleans, San Diego and the surrounding areas of Purdue University. Just this past off-season, Drew and Brittany raised $275,000 from events including “The Amazing Race”, “Rebuilding Through Brotherhood” and the “Celebrity Golf Championship.” In addition, Drew’s Saints teammates held two sweepstakes offering eight winners an opportunity to train with them for a day at Tulane University. This raised an additional $105,000. All of this money went to the improvement of community facilities in need of help to include parks, schools, etc.
In 2008, Drew was honored by the Joint Leadership of United States Congress and Directors with the Horizon Award. This award is given to honor individuals in the private sector who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions and have set an outstanding example for young people.
Besides all of these things, how can you put a price on what Drew’s leadership meant to his teammates during this off-season when he organized one of the best work-out programs in the NFL during the lock out. Brees even looked out for his teammates shopping for insurance policies in the event some got injured during the non NFL sanctioned training.
In addition to all of his charitable contributions, let’s not forget what Drew’s presence and leadership for the Saints has meant to the people of New Orleans. After the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, the Saints performance on the field gave the citizens of New Orleans something to be proud of. This pride continued to build leading up to the Saints first Super Bowl appearance and the championship celebration afterwards.
Who Dat?! Drew Brees dat!
Whatever this upcoming season holds, let us not forget that what these guys do off the field, is just as important as what they do on.