Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has announced his retirement from the NFL and many are saying thank you to number nine for the 15 years he gave to New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards released a video message shortly after Brees announced his playing days are over.
“Thank you for putting New Orleans and Louisiana first, thank you for being a champion for our state, for our city, especially in a era that can sometimes be very challenging.”
In a statement, Brees said he poured his heart and soul into being the Saints Quarterback, but now his real life’s work begins. Edwards says he’s excited to see what Brees does next…
“Your retirement is the end of a beautiful chapter with New Orleans but I know that it’s only the beginning for what’s ahead for you and your family.”
Brees will stay close to football by working as an NFL analyst for NBC. The Texas native also plans to stay involved with his philanthropic work. Senior Vice President for New Orleans and Company Mark Romig says the Brees Dream Foundation is responsible for distributing 45-million dollars to charities.
“A lot of youth sports and youth affiliated charities, he’s always been behind the scenes stepping up when the community needed him and I think that’s what comes back to me more than anything else.”
Sunday marked the 15-year anniversary of Brees signing with the Saints. Romig says Brees arrival in 2006 came at the right time as the city was still reeling from the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina.
“It just gave us a sense that we can do this thing, we keep getting better and better, Drew raised the bar for us and we’ll keep going up from here.”
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