The decision for Drew Brees is looming. Unlike other years, this one has a complicated fork in the road. There is not a guaranteed positive affirmation to continue playing. Brees has hinted recently, the retirement announcement is probably closer than people expect. What that means is anyone’s guess. Still, the real battle is more complex than just winning another Super Bowl.
Drew Brees’ Future Lies in the Past
All the Doubters are History
Surely, whatever decision he makes, family, coaches, and players will be there right behind him. The city of black and gold has his back. Brees can do no wrong, no matter if it’s time or not. That being said, the real question is, has Brees done enough by his standards. In other words, can he walk away knowing full and well that, he’s ready to accept the accomplishments and move on.
Ok, so Drew Brees has a lot more athleticism than Rudy Ruettiger. This is something that’s obvious. However, being “on the chase” for so long is intoxicating. Brees’ believers were scarce way back in high school where he attended Westlake High School. The only reason he got a chance to take over was the injury to starter Jonny Rodgers.
“Brees was so good, so humble and so like able that Jonny couldn’t help to be a fan,” Varsity Coach Ron Schroeder said. Rodgers changed positions to become one of the leaders on defense. And Rodgers was there when Brees got injured and missed critical games in the playoffs. The next year, Brees would lead Westlake to their first and only championship game.
Be that as it may, Brees did not receive one Division I scholarship after finishing up his senior season. This was extremely rare, being the offensive player of the year and not even getting the time of day from University of Texas. And for that matter, any team in Texas. Scouts had doubt about his lack of height and speed. Luckily, for Drew Brees and Purdue, the Boilermakers needed a quarterback. The rest is history at least for college football.
Character is the Epitome of Drew Brees
The fact of the matter is, all these stories build character in a person. The countless challenges overcome by Brees before he even stepped on a college football field was noticeable. His father Chip Brees said it best.
“I think sometimes these recruiters do get into this mold mentality. If you have a boy who’s 6-4, 6-5, a recruiter can never be criticized for taking that kid, even if he doesn’t work out, because he fit the mold.”
This is the way life is. Height is a beautiful asset if you’re a quarterback. You get more looks and more advantages. Speed is something that can offset that. From a recruiting standpoint, Drew Brees never fit the mold. And all of Who Dat Nation agrees. Brees is one of a kind. He’s not your cookie cutter kind of quarterback. His stature will never make your jaw drop and his speed is not exactly Michael Vick.
Brees did it his way. Hand him a bunch of darts and he keeps hitting the bullseye. Sometimes, the ability to produce dead on accurate lasers year after year is unconscionable. The chip on his shoulder should be gone by now. Records have been broken. Success with Sean Payton and company rewrites all of the New Orleans Saints history.
Feeling Comfortable Without the Jersey
There is only one thing left to prove for Andrew Christopher Brees. And it has nothing to do with the 2020 NFL schedule or the sultry summers on New Orleans in July and August when sweat pours out like faucets. Brees can walk away with no one doubting his decision of stepping away from the game of football with gas left in the tank. The only question is can Drew Brees step away from the “The Chase?” In other words, is the validation of pursuit of perfection on the football field over in his own eyes. Living away from the football field can be difficult for many.
Brees’ choice is simply an acceptance of normality of walking around without the invisible jersey of number nine being on all the time outside the walls of his domain. No more interviews. No more leading the chant before the games. Moreover, the sense of existing without being the undeniable leader of the New Orleans Saints will be left behind for something else. Something different. The unknown is waiting. Brees is the only one knowing if he’s capable of venturing out into a new beginning starting in 2020.
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