Purdue Legend Drew Brees Announces Retirement From The NFL

Purdue’s GOAT QB calls it a career.

After much consideration and unknown rumors for some time now, former Purdue Boilermaker’s quarterback, Drew Brees has announced his retirement from the game of football.

Drew will be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee when he is eligible in 5 years or so. Brees had such an impact on the Purdue football program, bringing the Boilermakers to relevancy during his time in West Lafayette.

The three-year starter ended his Purdue career with 11,792 passing yards and 90 touchdowns to only 45 interceptions, while winning 33 games as a part of the team. A long list of accomplishments includes the 2000 Maxwell Award, Two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, two-time B1G Offensive Player of the Year, and 2000 Academic All American as well. He was also inducted into Purdue’s Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame to cap an already historic career.

Brees was at the forefront of perhaps one of the most memorable moments in Purdue football history. He led the Boilermakers to the Rose Bowl on January 1st, 2001, and although they came up short, put Purdue football on the map. It seems that people cannot understand the importance of Drew’s time with Purdue unless you were there to experience it yourself.

After getting drafted 32nd overall to the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft, Brees put together a top 10 career for a quarterback in NFL history. Over 20 years in the NFL, Brees racked up over 80,000 passing yards and 571 passing touchdowns on a 67.7 completion percentage. His passing yards are the most in NFL history and touchdowns trails only Tom Brady for the most all-time. The debate will go on until the end of time, but there is a real argument for him being in the top 5 quarterbacks of all-time discussion.

His NFL Honors ranged from 13 Pro Bowl appearances, 2004 Comeback Player of the Year, 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year, two-time AP Offensive Player of the Year, and of course a Super Bowl Champion in 2009.

As his playing days come to an end, it looks like he will be going to work for NBC Sports as apart of their Sunday Night Football crew. Whether that is him calling games, or getting comfortable in the studio with Tony Dungy and others, remains to be seen.

What a historic career from the “undersized” quarterback from Purdue. Thank you for everything. Drew Brees. Boiler Up!