One of the most emotional moments of Drew Brees’ NFL career was taken from him due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Brees played in the final game of his NFL career in the Superdome, it was amid COVID-19 restrictions and in front of fewer than 10,000 fans.
The Saints had just lost, and an emotional Brees walked out of the stadium quietly, blowing kisses to his family and waving to fans.
Brees was not able to give his proper goodbye and had not yet formally announced his retirement.
Fifteen years after he signed with the Saints, he announced his official retirement from the NFL online with little fanfare.
Shortly after, the world began opening up as more people received COVID-19 vaccinations.
The New Orleans Saints used its Thanksgiving game against the Buffalo Bills as an opportunity for Brees to return to the Caesars Superdome.
Brees broadcast the game alongside Mike Tirico for NBC, and at halftime, the team, the fans and the city thanked Brees and his family for everything they had given to our community — on and off the field — in their 15 years with the team.
He also led the entire crowd in his final “Who Dat” chant. You can watch the electric moment in the video above.
New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a statement saying she looked forward to welcoming him back again, but as a Hall of Famer and Ring of Honor member.
“Drew Brees will always be considered one of the greatest Saints in the history of the organization,” said Benson in a statement issued during the game. “While we look forward to one day welcoming Drew back as a Hall of Famer and a member of our Ring of Honor, Thanksgiving night is the perfect opportunity for us to say thank you to Drew and his family the right way- on the field and in front of 70,000 of the best fans in football. We were blessed to have Drew as a member of our team for 15 years. The record-breaking impact he had on the field is legendary, as is the impact he, Brittany and the Brees family continue to have on our community. ”
Now, five years later, Brees prepares to enter the Hall of Fame as a first-ballot inductee and will also be inducted into the Ring of Honor during the 20th-anniversary Domecoming game this year.
READ MORE:Watch the moment Drew Brees led his final ‘Who Dat’ chant after retiring
