For the entire NFL off-season we have been hearing about the New Orleans Saints bounty system. There have been major fines and suspensions handed-out from Roger Goodell, so shouldn’t we be able to move on? Is there really nothing good coming out of the Saints camp? This article is not another one of those, I assure you. After a little investigation, I was able to find some positive news about the New Orleans Saints, particularly about their star pivot, Drew Brees.
Drew Brees was born on January 15, 1979 in Austin, Texas. After a stellar high school and college career at Purdue, Drew was drafted in the second round by the San Diego Chargers in 2001. But it wasn’t until he made his way to New Orleans for the 2006 season that he flourished. Brees had instant success since day one in New Orleans. Through his six seasons, he has won the 2009 Superbowl and was named the game’s most valuable player. In 2008, Brees was named NFL’s MVP, and three years later in 2011, he was chosen as the offensive player of the year. Equally as impressive, don’t forget that he set the NFL’s record for passing yards in a single season, as he accumulated 5,476 yards.
His numbers and awards prove his elite playing ability, but that’s not what I admire most about Drew Brees. Rather, I appreciate what he has done off the field.
Brees is known as one of the NFL’s most charitable players. He is the founder of “The Dream Foundation”, which has collectively committed over $11,000,000 since 2003. He joined forces with “Operation Kids ” to donate and raise countless funds towards the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He helped to spearhead this huge campaign to raise money to help recover after the BP oil spill.
Drew Brees also contributes to anti-bullying efforts as well as raising awareness for ‘gay teen suicide’. In 2010, Brees recognized there were rising suicide levels amongst gay teens as a result of bullying. Rather than ignoring the problem, Brees responded. He sent a video to the Ellen Degeneres show, discussing ‘bullying prevention’. Drew’s hard work in the community, and indeed communities across North America, earned him the title of “2010 Sports Illustrated sportsman of the year”. Sports Illustrated noted that the award was “not just for leading the saints to their first Superbowl, but for being the leader in rebuilding the entire city (New Orleans)” .
To me, this is why he is nicknamed ” Breesus”. He truly is a saviour to an entire city, and when I watch the Saints play, I’m always cheering for Drew Brees. He is a class act and I would much rather hear about all the good he does for people in less fortunate situations, rather then the same ole’ bounty system chatter.
The acts associated with the bounty program need to be dealt with, but let’s just take a few moments and recognize what some athletes are doing to go above and beyond.
Thanks Breesus!
…and that is the Last Word.
