Every NFL fan has heard the amazing stories about how all time great quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have prepared for games like absolute maniacs. However, we rarely hear much about the preparation of the guy who just passed everyone on the NFL’s all time list for passing yards in a career, Drew Brees.
I’m not sure why that is. I mean, Brees has now thrown for over 72,000 yards, just signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Saints this past spring, and after five games, leads all NFL quarterbacks with a passer rating of 122.3 having thrown for 11 TDs and ZERO interceptions.
Bro just set the all time passing yards record, at age 39, and he’s not even close to being done. So, yeah, it’s a good bet that he prepares just as hard, if not harder, as those other all time greats.
For proof of Brees’ maniacal preparation habits, former Saints wide receivers Donte Stallworth shared an incredible story about the QB during Brees’ record-breaking Monday night.
After the 2005 season, both @drewbrees and myself had shoulder surgery in Birmingham, Alabama — by the great Dr. Andrews. Drew was coming off a horrific injury to his throwing arm, and I was having an arthroscopic procedure to stitch up my labrum and rotator cuff.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 9, 2018
One day during rehab together, Drew turned to me and said, “hey I talked to your boy the other day.” I had no clue who he was talking about. “Who?” “Sean Payton,” he replied. I immediately got excited at the prospects of catching TD passes from Brees in a Sean Payton offense.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 9, 2018
I told Drew, “dude, you HAVE to come to New Orleans — Sean’s offense is a QB and WR’s dream. What are you thinking, do we have a shot?” Brees said, “I like Sean, and I think we could do some special things in New Orleans — (post-Katrina) the city could use a winner right now.”
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 9, 2018
Then Drew began reeling off my 2005 season stats, the routes I ran the most, and what he envisioned we would be successful at. But not just me, he knew the depth chart of every position, and their contract situation.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 9, 2018
(Another TD) He knew the players like he was on the Saints offense in 2005, but he wasn’t — he was a Charger. He knew the whole offense, depth chart, successes the only way you could. He watched film and studied it vigorously. I sat there in awe like how the hell??
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 9, 2018
That’s when I knew I first witnessed the greatness, that’s when I knew Brees was on a different level. His play shows the work, the meticulous attention to detail week in and week out, over the course of many seasons. Congrats to the all-time passing leader!
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 9, 2018
Ridiculous. No wonder he’s been so good for so long.
Unfortunately for Stallworth, he got traded to the Eagles around the same time Brees signed with the Saints so he never got to play with him.
Stallworth wasn’t the only former and current NFL player to express their appreciation for Brees on Monday night. Many others chimed in on social media as well.
Congrats @drewbrees, proud to passed by a guy like you. All the best. https://t.co/CMd2G4nTZZ
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) October 9, 2018
Drew… you have inspired me. Grateful for you for doing it for the "Short Guys." @DrewBrees
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) October 9, 2018
Congrats @drewbrees! What a way to set the record. Awesome to have your family there to enjoy that moment. #Respect
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) October 9, 2018
Congrats @drewbrees! One of the best to ever do it! You're an amazing football player and even better man, husband & father! — Ben.
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) October 9, 2018
Incredible @drewbrees!!! #Legend
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 9, 2018
Just witnessed greatness by @drewbrees now the all time passing yardage leader! “you can accomplish anything in life that you work for“
— Jonathan Stewart (@Jonathanstewar1) October 9, 2018
Priceless moment! One of the best to do it!! @drewbrees
— Tavon Austin (@Tayaustin01) October 9, 2018
Of course, the NFL being the NFL, they penalized the Saints for “excessive celebration” after Brees broke the record.
I had to go back and make sure…. pic.twitter.com/qaWcEB6wHJ
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 9, 2018
Be worse, NFL. You can’t.
Oh wait. Maybe you can.
I still can’t believe this happened last night. After setting the record for the most passing yards in league history, the head official handed Drew Brees a laminated piece of paper noting the accomplishment. The optics were incredibly awkward. pic.twitter.com/MaAEz0X09a
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 9, 2018