Ahead of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the New Orleans Saints shared an extended interview with first-ballot Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
Brees was joined by his wife Brittany, and they both reflected on his career and time in New Orleans.
During the interview, Drew and Brittany spoke about their calling to New Orleans.
According to Drew, he was two months post-op from a shoulder injury and never thought he would play again.
Brittany said she prayed he would end up in the right situation, and trusted God would place them where they needed to be.
Both remembered the mutual nervous feeling between Tom and Gayle Benson when they first visited the team.
They likened it to a first date, saying the stakes were high for Drew to prove himself, but even higher for New Orleans as the city worked to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.
Drew said his clarity came in a car ride with then-head coach Sean Payton.
They were driving through Lakeview and got lost because of how bad the damage was when Drew visited.
Drew said he knew then it was his and Sean’s calling to help the city.
As he prepares to officially enter the Hall of Fame this week, Drew said the game of football is ingrained in him now more than ever.
He said mentally he can still play, but physically he is limited.
Drew said he channels his love for the game into his broadcasting career and coaching of his children’s teams.
He said he even still licks his fingers to this day when he walks on a field.
Both Brittany and Drew said the Hall of Fame weekend will be their official goodbye to New Orleans.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, his last season was played to a mostly empty Superdome.
“I never really had a retirement party, so maybe all of this was wrapped into one. A send-off, a retirement party, Hall of Fame, and my grand appreciation of it all,” Drew said.
“We are just so intertwined with the entire city and our fans,” Brittany said. “Not being able to say goodbye bothered Drew, but it bothers fans who watched him and our children grow up more.”
Watch their full interview here.
READ MORE:Drew Brees and his wife reflect on his 15-year career in lengthy video ahead of Hall of Fame
