Drew Brees (Rookie Refractor)

Drew Christopher Brees (January 15, 1979-) is an NFL quarterback considered by many to be one of the best QBs in recent years. Brees attended Purdue University and led the Boilermakers to the 2001 Rose Bowl … the team’s first appearance there since 1967. During his collegiate career, he set Big Ten Conference records in passing yards (11,792), touchdown passes (90), total offensive yards (12,693), completions (1,026), and attempts (1,678). The San Diego Chargers selected Drew in the 2nd round of the 2001 NFL Draft and he served as the primary starter during his tenure with the team (2001-2005). He signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints (2006-present) and in a productive first year Brees threw for a league-leading 4,418 passing yards and finished third in the league with 26 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions and a 96.2 passer rating. During the Saints’ Super Bowl victory (2009), Brees tied Tom Brady’s record for most completions in a Super Bowl (32) and won MVP honors. A 10-time Pro Bowler, Drew was also the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year (2004) while with the Chargers and then twice became the NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011) as a member of the Saints. Brees is the only quarterback in NFL history to reach 400+ yards passing in consecutive playoff games, which he accomplished in three straight postseason games.

In 2011, he set the NFL single-season record for most passing yards in a season by a quarterback (5,476 yards), since surpassed by the Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning by one yard in 2013, and also set NFL records for highest completion percentage in a season (71.2%), most 300+ yard passing games in a season (13), and most completions in a season (468). Brees reached the 50,000 passing yard-mark faster than any other NFL quarterback and is only the fifth player to reach the mark. Through the end of the 2014 season, Brees has the highest career completion percentage among all quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 2,500+ attempts (66.2%). Brees holds the record for most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass (54), and also became the Saints' all-time leader in career wins, pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.