NFL legend Drew Brees on Wednesday opened up about his recent retirement, and discussed his thinking in the years and weeks that preceded his fateful decision.
Brees, speaking to reporters as part of an introductory press conference for his new role as a football analyst with NBC Sports, confirmed that he was waiting for a specific date to officially call it a career, clearing up confusion about a workout video that prompted wild speculation about his plans when it surfaced on social media in late February.
The future Hall of Famer on Wednesday said he was eyeing March 14 all along to announce he was stepping away -- marking the 15-year anniversary of signing with the Saints as a free agent prior to the 2006 season.
The 42-year-old Texas native said he had been preparing himself for the end of his career to arrive at any time, for several years, according to Pro Football Talk.
“Ever since the 2017 season, I have truly approached each season like it could be my last," Brees said. "And I’ve approached the offseason that way, and I’ve approached each and every game during the season that way."
The future Hall of Famer appeared to bid an emotional farewell to Saints fans at the Superdome following their elimination from the playoffs at the hands of the Tampa Bay Bucs on Jan. 17, leading many to believe Brees was in fact finished.
He waited nearly a month to make it official, and the delay, combined with the workout clip, had some wondering whether Brees had a change of heart.
But apparently not.
The former Purdue standout thinks he could have kept playing if he really wanted to, but said he "could just feel" that it was time.
"Obviously, I’ve had some injuries the last two years that have been frustrating. Both of them kind of freak things. I don’t think they were injuries that were saying I was getting old. But nonetheless, I had the thumb that ruled me five games two years ago, and then had the ribs and the lung that holds me out for four games this past year. Could I keep playing? Yeah, I’m sure I could. But I’m also looking at my kids, my family, the age of my kids, and just gauging all of those things. There’s a balance there. I also just felt like I would just feel it. I would feel when it was time. I felt that it was time.”
The two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year will be a studio analyst for Football Night in America on NBC on Sundays, and provide in-booth analysis for Notre Dame games on Saturdays.
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