Drew Brees recalls facing Tom Brady for the first time in 1999, when the two were starting for Purdue and Michigan, respectively. Brady's Wolverines earned a 38-12 win at home that day.
Brees recalled the matchup ahead of Sunday's New Orleans Saints season opener against Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 3:25 p.m. in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and said that at the time he couldn't have predicted the two would still be playing, let alone facing each other, in 2020.
"Little did we know, we would have the opportunities that we've had in the NFL," Brees said. "I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say that, I think we both pinch ourselves, the blessing and the opportunity to be able to play this long, play for so many great teams and with so many great players."
Both Brees and Brady are future Hall-of-Famers and widely recognized as two of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. Both have shattered NFL passing records making Sunday's matchup a rarity.
"I think if I was a fan, I would turn it on early, that's for sure," Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said. "It's special to be a part of it and when you’ve got two of the greatest of all time playing against each other it’s always fun.”
The two have played against each other in the NFL previously but Sunday's game will be unique.
Here's five reasons why Sunday's Brees-Brady matchup is historic:
All-time leaders
Brees currently is the NFL's leader for career passing yards and touchdowns after throwing for 77,416 and 547 through 19 seasons. At No. 2 is Brady with 74,517 and 541, respectively.
Sunday's matchup will mark the first time since at least 1950 that the league’s top-two all-time leaders in touchdown passes face each other.
The two could also top more all-time lists in Sunday's matchup. If Brees throws two touchdown passes Sunday he'll have the second most games with two scoring throws behind Brady's 173.
The two also rank first and second in career touchdown passes in Week 1. With Brees throwing 39 and Brady 37. Brees' 5,406 career Week 1 passing yards make him the all-time leader in that category and Brady 44 passing yards Sunday to move into second place in that category.
Making their teams better
Brees and Brady haven't just enjoyed individual success in their careers. The two have statistically made their teams better. Since 2006, the Saints and Brady's former team, the New England Patriots, have been two of the NFL's best offenses.
The Saints and Patriots are the top two teams in total yards, points per game and first downs.
Beating Father Time
Brees and Brady are currently the two oldest players in the NFL at 41 and 43, respectively.
Sunday's matchup will mark the first time two quarterbacks older than 40 start against each other in NFL history.
Both quarterbacks are still playing at a high level as well. Brady has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in each of his three seasons since turning 40 and Brees posted the second highest completion percentage of his career at 40, connecting on 74.3 percent of his passes in 2019.
Brees and Brady are also only two of five quarterbacks to ever throw for over 2,000 yards after turning 40 joining Warren Moon, Brett Favre and Vinny Testaverde. Brady, 12,989 yards leads all 40-plus passers and Brees' 116.3 passer rating is tops in that group as well.
Brees thinks improved training and recovery methods have helped the two quarterbacks "stay in our prime longer."
"I've always used the term 'prolong your prime,'" Brees said. "At the end of the day, that's what we're trying to do. Time is going to get us at some point, but we're trying to beat him out right now."
Division rivals
Brees and Brady have battled for records in recent seasons, but are now battling for playoff positioning, as the two are now NFC South rivals. The Saints have won their division the last three seasons and no other NFC South team has made the playoffs since 2017 when both the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons earned Wild Card berths.
"We're both fighting for the same thing," Brees said.
Tampa Bay hasn't had a winning season since 2016's 9-7 record but Brees is expecting a challenge from the revamped Tampa offense which added former All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Leonard Fournette.
"I know I'm sure he's pretty rejuvenated, being down there and having the opportunity with a new team," Brees said. "And obviously, he's got a great team around him. A lot of great skill position players and a really good defense as well."
Exclusive club
Brees is set to become just the 22nd NFL player to play 20 seasons, Brady joined that club last season and became one of only five players in league history to log 20 years with one team.
