All-Star Quarterback Drew Brees Announces His Retirement from the NFL

“After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football. Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback. Til the very end I exhausted myself to give everything to the Saints organization, my team and the great city of New Orleans,” Brees captioned a video posted to Instagram of his four kids cheering over his retirement.

“We shared some amazing moments together, many of which are emblazoned in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us. You have molded me, strengthened me, inspired me, and given me a lifetime of memories,” he continued.

“My goal for the last 15 years was striving to give to you everything you had given to me and more.”

Brees concluded the post by assuring the people of New Orleans that this was not the end of his story in the Louisiana city, “I am only retiring from playing football, I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life’s work begins!”

The one-time Super Bowl champion and 13-time Pro Bowler holds a record of 80,358 yards passed, the NFL reports. He ends his career with 571 touchdown passes and a 67.7 percent completion rate.

Throughout his career, Brees was also awarded two Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year awards, the Walter Payton Man of The Year award in 2006 and the Super Bowl MVP award in 2009. 

Brees is also an outspoken Christian. In the last several years, he has worked alongside Focus on the Family in promoting Bring Your Bible to School Day. Brees also work with Pastor Jack Graham’s Prestonwood Baptist Church in 2019 to start a co-ed flag football program for Texas youth.

Related:

Saints QB Drew Brees Urges Students: ‘Live Out Your Faith,’ Bring Bible to School

Drew Brees Partners with Prestonwood Baptist Church to Start Flag Football League for Youth

Drew Brees, Wife Donate $5 Million to Fight Coronavirus as Louisiana Becomes Inundated with Patients

Saints QB Drew Brees Sets NFL Record, Says, ‘God Has Equipped Us for Great Works'

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Sean Gardner/Stringer

Kayla Koslosky is the former Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com. She has B.A. degrees in English and History and previously wrote for and was the managing editor of the Yellow Jacket newspaper. She has also contributed to IBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com.