Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received his Saints Hall of Fame induction today.
After being introduced by former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Brees came to the podium and recalled his first contact with the Saints when he was a free agent in the 2006 offseason.
The quarterback had recently undergone reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder after a serious injury in the final game of the 2005 season, and there were questions about whether he would ever suit up in an NFL uniform again.
Brees said he was in Birmingham, where Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery, staying with his in-laws while he recovered.
"We stopped through the Arby's drive-through and my phone rings. I don't recognize the number, but I pick it up, and on the other line, it's 'Hey, Drew Brees! This is Sean Payton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints!' I said, 'Hey, coach how ya doin'?'
Brees said he muted his phone, looked over to his father-in-law and asked: "Who is Sean Payton?"
After more stories about his early days with the Saints, Brees talked about how football and his time with the Saints shaped who he is, perhaps previewing what we will hear from Brees when he is enshrined at Canton.
"I learned so many things from professional football. I learned about leadership. I learned about perseverance. I learned about overcoming adversity," said Brees. "But the thing that I learned most about this game, and about being a part of this organization, was how to be a great teammate."
Brees will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.