Drew Brees will call it a career following this season. This was not the way he wanted to go out.
Drew Brees wanted one more shot. After his illustrious career, one could say he’s earned it.
The New Orleans Saints were built to win in 2020 with a loaded roster on both sides of the ball. They proved week in and week out, they perhaps were the most complete roster in the NFL. All that was stopping Brees from Tampa Bay was Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
It’s only over when the bell rings. Brees owned Brady in the first two rounds during the regular season. Brady got the knockout punch in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs.
A 30-20 victory for the Saints will have them moving on to Lambeau Field. Meanwhile, it’s another blow to the Saints’ deep postseason run.
In front of fans at the Superdome, Brees said goodbye to the bayou. He said goodbye to the NFL. And fans across the country couldn’t help but get choked up, knowing this was the end of an era.
NFL fans react to Brees’ likely final game ending in defeat.
News broke before the game from FOX’s Jay Glazer that this would be Brees’ final game in the Superdome.
Today will be Drew Brees' last game in the Superdome. #NFLPlayoffs #DrewBrees #NewOrleans #Brees #TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/9QfbtIg5RJ
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 17, 2021
Naturally, fans came pouring in with support on a job well done.
• 20 seasons
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 18, 2021
• 13x Pro Bowl
• 2x offensive player of the year
• Super Bowl Champ
• Super Bowl MVP
• 2nd all-time in pass TDs
• 1st all-time in completions
If this is it for Drew Brees, it's been an amazing career pic.twitter.com/34oPYHc4WQ
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1350951032524845058
If this is it for Drew Brees:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 18, 2021
▫️Super Bowl XLIV champion and MVP
▫️NFL’s All-time passing leader: 80,492 yards
▫️Second most passing TD ever: 572
▫️13X Pro Bowler, 5X All Pro
▫️Led NFL in passing yards 7X
▫️The 3 highest single season completion % ever
Respect to a legend ✊
Then came the actual game, where results were mixed from the 42-year-old quarterback. Early on, his interception to Sean Murphy-Bunting put New Orleans down by nine.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1350965099687718918
Sean Murphy-Bunting picks off Drew Brees on a flat route intended for Michael Thomas.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 18, 2021
This is Brees' first interception targeting Thomas on an out-breaking route over the last three seasons (since 2018).#TBvsNO | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/HwAeTra1ot
The problem was, that wasn’t the only interception. In fact, it was the first of three.
https://twitter.com/JDAWG_KINGME92/status/1350998864116015110
Drew Brees interception no. 3#GoBucs
— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) January 18, 2021
pic.twitter.com/6t2AfYefpA
One could tell this was the end. This was going to be the storyline of the night. However, fans wanted to pay their respects to a legend.
In all seriousness, it sucks to see Brees go out like this. One of the best to ever do it.
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 18, 2021
If this is it for Drew Brees:
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 18, 2021
*2nd in fantasy points all time: 5,192.9
*All-time leader in pass yards: 80,358
*All-time leader in completions: 7,142
*2nd all-time in pass TDs: 571
* 7 straight yrs w/ 33+ TD passes. (No other QB has had more than 5)
Respect to a living legend. pic.twitter.com/pLABKGa45Q
You make it to the #NFL at ALL, you have my respect. You make it to the #NFL and become one of the very best to ever do it, you should have everyone’s respect for what you did as a pro, on the field. It rarely ends pretty/exactly how you want it. #Respect #DrewBrees
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) January 18, 2021
Big ups to Drew Brees for his soon to be Hall of Fame career. Most players don’t have the ending they would like. But it was a joy following his career from San Diego to New Orleans
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) January 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/AlexWilcoxTV/status/1351001848250068995
And as he walked off the field for the last time, No.9 waved to fans. And yes, many tears were shed.
https://twitter.com/NFLUK/status/1351000122843426816
that Drew Brees look back 🥺 pic.twitter.com/Qo3knZAjYK
— Jessica Benson (@jessbensontv) January 18, 2021
Drew Brees waves goodbye and takes one final look before leaving the field pic.twitter.com/gTxSY3IrJ6
— The Ringer (@ringer) January 18, 2021
Brees was the hero that New Orleans needed in a time without hope. When he first arrived in the NFC South from San Diego, the city of New Orleans was lost due to Hurricane Katrina. Thousands needed a voice and a haven from the outside world.
Brees gave them that, along with a Lombardi Trophy.
A top-10 quarterback in the history of the game and one of the best teammates anyone could ask for, Brees will forever walk away a winner. Take a bow Mr.Brees.
Take a bow.