Last Updated on March 6, 2024
Who is Drew Brees?
Drew Brees was a Quarterback who actively played in the NFL for 20 years. He made his debut as most players do in collegiate football and set many impressive records in his time.
The most noteworthy of his achievements at the time are the records he set during the big ten conference, the oldest division of collegiate level football. A lot of his considerable achievements at the time can be attributed to his impressive throw.
Drew Brees wasn’t drafted right away during the 2001 NFL draft despite his performance during the conference. This was due to speculation on his weight and the strength of his throwing arm. He eventually went on to play for the San Diego chargers for a time before having to step back due to a near career-ending injury.
However, Brees resurged stronger than ever upon signing with the New Orleans Saints. Brees led the team to nine playoff runs, seven division titles, and three NFC victories. Many of his impressive plays are well documented and motivate upcoming NFL players.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Drew Christopher Brees |
Popular Name: | Drew Brees |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | January 15, 1979 |
Age: | 44 years |
Parents: | Eugene Wilson Brees II, Mina Brees |
Siblings: | Audrey Brees, Raid Brees |
Birth Place: | Dallas, Texas |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | American |
Education: | St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Austin Westlake Highschool, Purdue |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Brittany Dudchenko. |
Children: | Baylen Robert Brees, Bowen Christopher Brees, Callen Christian Brees, Rylen Judith Brees |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | $120 million |
Source of Wealth: | Professional Football, Endorsements, Restaurant Ownership |
Height: | 6ft (1.83m) |
Weight: | 95kg (209lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
Drew Brees was born in January 1979 to Eugene Wilson brees II and Mina Ruth, both prominent lawyers at the time. His parents divorced when he was seven, forcing Drew and his brother Reid to move back and forth between the two. Both his parents were notable athletes back in the day, his father a former basketball player for Texas A&M and his mother an all-state athlete in three different sports. A half-sister joined the boys later, a product of his father’s remarriage.
Drew didn’t play tackle football until high school, where he displayed an impressive performance while playing for Austin Westlake Highschool. Drew led the football team to an impressive 16-0 record and a state championship. In addition, Drew stood out during his high school Quarterback days due to his remarkable pass completion percentage of 64%.
His performance caught the eye of Purdue and Kentucky, the former of which he chose due to the high level of academics. Brees played impressively during his collegiate football career, earning impressive records and achievements for his career touchdown passes, career passing yards, career pass completions, and much more.
He was shaping up to be an excellent Quarterback with a noteworthy throwing arm to boot. So it came as a surprise to many when he wasn’t drafted immediately during the 2001 NFL draft. This happened because of his relatively short height for a QuarterBack and the misunderstanding behind his weak arm strength.
The San Diego Chargers later drafted Brees as the first pick of the second round. Brees had a slow start on the chargers but painstaking cut out a name for himself as Quarterback in the scene. Unfortunately, his stint with the chargers was short-lived after suffering a thorn shoulder injury that incapacitated him for a time.
He later signed to the New Orleans Saints and helped them rebound from a string of unimpressive performances. Many speculated that he would be unable to recover from his injury, but his numbers soon proved them wrong, and the New Orleans Saints became a force to reckoned with in the NFL. Brees announced his retirement from the NFL in 2021.
Brees is also known for his humanitarian work and effort to help cancer patients, underprivileged kids, and more. He also co-owns a restaurant named “Walk-Ons” with partner Brandon Landry.
Drew Bree’s Net Worth
Drew Brees’s 20-year long career saw him make an impressive amount. Not only was he regularly earning from the NFL, but sponsorships and endorsements as well.
In addition, Brees signed many contracts throughout his career, some record-breaking. Including a 5-year $100 million deal and a 2-year $50-million contract. His performance and gains through the NFL, coupled with his business decisions outside of the NFL, account for his well-deserved net worth of $120 million.
Lessons from the Life of Drew Brees
Focus on the Here and Now
“When you wake up, think about winning the day. Don’t worry about a week or a month from now — just think about one day at a time. If you are worried about the mountain in the distance, you might trip over the molehill right in front of you. Win the day!”
~Drew Brees
Brees suffered many painful setbacks during his rise as a Quarterback. He faced and overcame adversity, disbelief, and career-ending injuries enough to write a book. He wrote a book, hoping to inspire others with his life story.
The core message here is to focus on what is before you. Life may seem endlessly daunting, but we need to learn to deal with what is right in front of us before moving forward.
Learn from your Losses
“The truth is, you don’t learn much from winning, but losing can make you a lot stronger.”
~Drew Brees
Brees was no stranger to defeat. He faced some of his toughest losses at the beginning of his pro career with the San Diego Chargers. He even faced competition for his spot as starting Quarter Back. But Brees never let the obstacles deter him and pushed to better himself in everything he did.
His determination earned him his many accomplishments in the NFL and the respect of fans far and wide.