Why the Pro Bowl is Still Special for Saints QB Drew Brees

ORLANDO, FL – New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the all-time leader in just about every important passing category from completions to touchdowns and yards, so naturally it comes with the territory of an abundance of Pro Bowl selections. He is one shy of the record on the latter for those keeping count at home.

So what makes the NFL Pro Bowl something that Drew Brees looks forward to each time he receives that prestigious honor?

And that’s being able to share that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience with his children.

“This is once in a lifetime for them,” explained Brees on Thursday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports after practice. “It’s a chance for them to see and be around their favorite players. You’re always looking to put your kids in those positions where maybe they get those moments of inspiration.”

It just so happens that his son Baylen is a huge fan of Baltimore Ravens quarterback and 2019 NFL MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson.

“Give them great life experiences and maybe it’s catching a pass from Lamar Jackson and the lightbulb goes off,” he added. “A word of wisdom that one of the players gives you and just interacting with them.”

“The way these players conduct themselves is important – all of these guys are role models for my kids. I take that role seriously and I want to create as many of these opportunities for them as I can.”

The 41-year-old quarterback acknowledges that those opportunities may be nearing an end as he enters the final year of his contract with the Saints. Although Brees finished with the highest completion percentage and second highest quarterback rating in the league, it was a down year for him statistically primarily because a thumb injury caused him to miss five games this season. It marked the first time he missed more than one game in a season since 2003.

“To me, each one of these contracts with the Saints is not a matter of if, but when it gets done,” said Brees. “At this stage of my career, it’s not a given that I’m coming back every year. When that time comes, I will always be a Saint.”

Despite suffering heartbreaking playoff losses in three consecutive seasons, Brees is encouraged by how the Saints will rebound in 2020.

“You’ve got no other choice, but to move on and get better as a result of it,” he said. “We learn something every time. We’re not going to be discouraged and we’re not going to take the results of the last three playoffs with some unprecedented things happening from deterring us from that ultimate goal.”

“I feel like we have all the pieces in place – we have a great foundation, a great culture,” added Brees. “We have all the makings of a championship team. You’ve gotta have some luck on your side and some things go your way. The more you do it, the better you have a chance of things going your way.”

Expect the Saints to be in the mix of the best teams in the National Football League next season as they look to win a fourth consecutive NFC South division and compete for a Super Bowl title. While they’ve been consistently one of the best teams in the league year in and year out, it has been a decade since their lone championship but that window for that next one may be closing soon.