Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees described his move to the team in 2006, amid the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, as a "defining moment" in his career. He recently shared that his faith and the New Orleans community were instrumental in his and the city's perseverance.
Brees joined the Saints as the city was beginning its recovery from Hurricane Katrina, which caused an estimated $125 billion in damage and resulted in 1,392 deaths. While rebuilding was the primary concern for residents, football and the Saints became a symbol of hope and a rallying point for the community.
"It was definitely a defining moment in my career," Brees stated in a recent interview. "Honestly, most of the defining moments in my career, especially as it pertains to football, came on the heels of something devastating happening, or something that was a difficulty, a challenge, a failure."
He noted that the experience of Hurricane Katrina created a strong bond with the city. "Everyone in New Orleans felt like they were losing everything, losing the entire city, and truly having to start over. So, that’s where the bond was created."
The repaired Louisiana Superdome hosted the Saints' first home game on September 25, 2006, against the Atlanta Falcons. The game, and Brees's presence, provided a significant morale boost to a community still in the process of rebuilding.
Brees led the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV victory in 2010, a culmination of years of effort that mirrored the city's own recovery. He was named the game's MVP after a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
"I’ve always taken the approach with those events that it’s your opportunity to come back stronger," Brees explained. "It’s your opportunity to maybe learn from the things that happened before, and apply the lessons learned that are going to help you come out on the other side better, stronger, both mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally."
Brees also emphasized the role of his Christian faith during challenging times, including the period after Hurricane Katrina. "To me, that’s what got me through so many of those tough moments, knowing that God has a plan and this is just equipping me for what is to come next," he said.
He reflected on the collective resilience of New Orleans, stating, "You look at that on the surface. To the average person looking from afar, you would think, ‘How does that city overcome this situation?’ Yet, you pull all these pieces together and you have this belief. You have this faith, you have this trust."
Beyond his football career, Brees is involved in business, including co-owning Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux, a sports bar franchise that began in Louisiana. He highlighted the importance of having access to a wide range of sports programming for customers, facilitated by partnerships like the one with DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, which includes NFL Sunday Ticket.
"We pride ourselves on Louisiana-inspired cuisine. It's unbelievable food," Brees said of Walk-on’s. "But like a really family-friendly atmosphere, you know, whether it's date night, bring the family, bring the little league after the game — something for everybody. Obviously, it’s sports, and high energy, and excitement on the TV all the time."
He added that sports have a unique ability to bring people together, fostering a sense of community and friendship among fans.
