On Sunday, October 4th, 2015, Drew Brees and the Saints went to the field again to play the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. During the game, the Saints struggled and went into overtime with the Cowboys and finally winning with a touchdown by Drew Brees to C.J. Spiller. The touchdown was no average touchdown as it was an 80-yard pass as well as Drew Brees' 400th touchdown in his NFL career which very few NFL quarterbacks reach. To say Drew Brees is an angel in the eyes of New Orleans and myself would be the understatement of the year. Drew Brees has brought so much to New Orleans and to celebrate his 400th touchdown as best as I can, here is a list of why I, and I assume the rest of New Orleans, loves Drew Brees:
1. He came to New Orleans.
Drew Brees was between Miami and New Orleans when he chose New Orleans. Drew Brees didn't know what to expect coming to New Orleans in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina just as well as New Orleans didn't know if Drew Brees' shoulder would completely heal. Luckily, the Saints and Brees trusted each other and made incredible things happen.
2. He led the Saints to victory for their first Super Bowl in 2009.
Since the Saints were founded in 1967 the Saints have only won one Super Bowl being 2009 led by Drew Brees and Coach Sean Payton. Since 2006 when Brees joined the Saints he continued to bring the Saints up each year as well as set new records game after game.
3. He is #familygoals.
Drew Brees is the husband to Brittany Brees and father to three boys - Baylen, Bowen, and Callen, and a girl named Rylen. If you follow Drew Brees on Instagram (@drewbrees) all you see is photos of his three boys, daughter, and wife who you can tell he loves so much. He also dresses up with them for Halloween, plays football with them, and brings them to his locker room in the Superdome.
4. He volunteers in the community.
Drew Brees is not only a football player but an avid volunteer in the community. He and his wife set up the Brees Dream Foundation in memory of Brittany's aunt who died of cancer. The foundation's proceeds go to helping many programs in California, and it helped rebuild New Orleans. Brees takes time out of his crazy football schedule to give back to the community and we are forever grateful.
5. He has a cute scar on his face.
Okay, I know this is not why New Orleans loves Drew Brees, but it adds to his charm. Drew Brees has a scar under his right eye, which at first I thought was really cool, mysterious, and bad a$$, but then I learned it was just a birthmark. I also learned that he used to get bullied for it as a child and that makes my heart hurt. However, Brees being the lovable man he is, turned it around and uses it as motivation as well as to show kids it is okay to have imperfections. His mama also used to tell him that it was just a kiss from an angel and HOW CUTE IS THAT!?!?!
6. He is a family man.
As I stated earlier, Drew Brees has a beautiful family consisting of his wife and four kids. Brees rarely puts his career in front of his family and seems to be an extremely loving father and husband. Drew Brees also is extremely kind, loving, and polite to all of his fans he sees around the city. I have never heard a single story of him being rude to his family of New Orleans.
7. He helps deliver Jimmy John's.
An unknown fact about Drew Brees is that he owns the Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches on Veterans in Metairie, Louisiana. He wants to expand into Elmwood and other parts of New Orleans. Sometimes Drew Brees is seen in the shop surprising customers as well as surprising his loyal fans and customers by delivering their sandwiches himself. How adorable is it that he takes the time to be really invested into his business!
8. He laughs at himself.
Being such an iconic and well-known football player, Brees is subjected to a lot of jokes and teasing. However, being the cool guy he is, he plays along, picks at himself, and lets others have a laugh at his expense. He is seen on Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, and many other talk shows bantering with the hosts. He has an adorable and hilarious Pepsi commercial with One Direction and has videos of him with his teammates and family participating in challenges such as the ALS ice bucket challenge.
9. Finally, he gives New Orleans hope.
Drew Brees came to New Orleans and gave us hope in a time of devastation. He helped rebuild the Saints as well as the city of New Orleans along with Sean Payton and his teammates. Before him, the Saints were known as "The Aints" and people wore brown paper bags over their heads at the games. Now you cannot go anywhere in Nola without seeing Saints paraphernalia. Drew Brees is sometimes called "Breesus" because of all the love and dedication he has given to the city. Drew Brees along with the rest of the Saints are a sign of hope when there is depression and faith when all is lost. I will forever love Drew Brees and as a proud citizen of New Orleans, I will always support him as long as he plays for the NFL and along the side of the Saints.
