Drew Brees Still Gets it Done

When you look at the statistics for NFL quarterbacks for the past ten years, Drew Brees will always be at the top. When I look at Brees, I don't think of him as a statistical sure thing and fantasy football marvel but more than the embodiment of a franchise and the city of New Orleans. As a Forty-Niner fan, I could only wish we had a player of his caliber and presence to capture my town and team. Instead, we have a quarterback who can't figure who he wants to be and built a wall around himself with the public and media. There is no denying that Brees benefits from having a great passing arm with fantastic accuracy, but he is also a respected leader.

When the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was in full exposure to the whole country, few bright spots were happening in New Orleans. When the Saints pulled off their Super Bowl run, Drew Brees stood tall during those times. That's when I became a fan because he appeared transcendent and seemed more significant than the game itself. You rarely find an athlete so humbled after winning the big prize.

You don't see most professional athletes wanting to be a spokesperson unless it involves an endorsement deal. In all fairness, a lot of pro athletes are engaged in philanthropic work. Some might be the type to help others if they were not rich and famous. Even though Kaepernick may think of himself as a spokesman or symbol for anti-oppression, he doesn't speak much and thinks kneeling during the National Anthem is a statement that works. This isn't an indictment of Colin Kaepernick, but I just picked on him because he quarterbacks my beloved Niners. I want a cool guy who throws accurate passes and doesn't always have to explain his actions. In contrast, Drew Brees moved to New Orleans and Katrina and became a big part of the community, trying to help through personal involvement in organizations.

This year, Brees is having an MVP season, and his Saints are struggling to make it to the playoffs. Throughout his career, nothing came easy for Brees, and getting New Orleans back to the Super Bowl will be his most challenging task. He is up in years in the realm of a football career, and fortunately, he has been able to stay reasonably healthy. He, like Tom Brady, is the best of the senior quarterbacks in the league and is a pleasure to watch, except when they are playing your team. Meanwhile, you can try to get him on your fantasy football team and never be disappointed with his production. In all seriousness, when Brees does retire, it will be sad because it's not often we find a guy and public figure that everybody can root for.