Peak performers are defined as individuals who perform to the maximum of their ability with confidence and total concentration on the task. Future Hall of Famer and former Saints QB Drew Brees is proving that he deserves to be called a peak performer.
After his exceptional career of setting countless NFL records, Drew Brees gracefully transformed himself from being an outstanding quarterback to now being an outstanding media personality. Brees has joined pro broadcaster Mike Tirico and former NFL coach Tony Dungy on the set of Thursday Night Football on NBC.
As a talk show host who is a huge Saints fan, I spend many occasions on the air praising and, at times, criticizing the play of Drew Brees. Admittedly, my criticism came from the perspective of an avid fan without the experience of being an NFL quarterback. We all know that fans are the real experts!
However, my critique of Drew Brees as a broadcaster and media personality falls directly within my realm of expertise. Having spent 50 years (so far!) in the media, and with experience in both television and radio as talent and as a producer, I feel well qualified to analyze the on-camera performance of Drew Brees.
After retiring last season, Brees signed to be part of the NBC broadcast team for Sunday Night Football. Brees has also been in the booth as a color analyst. When Brees first started his on-camera career, he was nervous. It was obvious to the trained eye that he was uncomfortable in his new role, which is completely understandable. But even in the beginning, Brees was good.
It is obvious that Brees is applying his attitude of commitment to excellence into his new career. In the short time that Drew Brees has been in the media, he has progressed to a network-quality level of professionalism. Of course, there are people working with Brees to teach him the specifics of being an on-camera personality and Brees appears to have absorbed the information and spent hours practicing in front of the camera to quickly become a polished media personality.
Saints fan know the commitment and resolve Brees brought to his role as QB for the Saints, and now we see that same degree of commitment to his rookie year as a broadcaster.
What I have observed is Drew Brees getting comfortable in front of the camera. He has not fumbled a line that was tossed to him by his broadcast teammates - Tirico and Dungy. In the beginning, Brees had nervous energy that led to a more forced delivery and hand and head gestures that were not smooth and fluid. But in a short period of time, Drew Brees ranks among the professionals on camera that make you feel comfortable through his flawless delivery of expert analysis of teams and players.
Brees is taking cues - he is passing comments on to his teammates without mishandling words. Watch Brees’ eyes when he’s on camera - with a determined look he assesses every situation and quickly reacts; and the look he gives the camera suggests total confidence.
Drew Brees is the obvious choice for broadcast “rookie of the year!”
And if Brees has accomplished this much in his rookie year - I can only imagine how great he will be when he becomes a broadcast veteran.
Drew Brees is a peak performer. Peak performers apply their commitment to excellence in everything they do - whether it’s being a great NFL QB, an on-camera talent, or throwing trash away. I don’t imagine Drew misses his target very often.