Written by Adrian Beecher
Atlanta, GA – With just under 8 minutes left to go in the 1st half of Sunday’s game against Atlanta, Drew Brees connected with Michael Thomas on a curl route to the right side for an 18 yard gain. This was completion number 6,301 of Brees’ career, surpassing the legend Brett Favre as the all-time completions leader in the NFL.
As in any sport, nothing is accomplished without the help of teammates, and Brees acknowledged that saying, “I’m grateful, very grateful. I hope there’s a lot more coming. I think of all the people who have had a hand on it. A lot of hands have caught those passes. A lot of guys have blocked to make those completions happen. They all are a part of this.”
Brees got his first regular season NFL action in his rookie year back in 2001 with the San Diego Chargers late in the 2nd quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs after their starter, Doug Flutie suffered a concussion and was unable to return to the game. On Brees first attempt at a pass, he was hit by Chiefs safety Jerome Woods, forcing a sack fumble. Fortunately, Brees was able to recover the fumble.
His next pass would be incomplete to Reggie Jones. The Chargers would punt and Brees had to wait until the 2nd half to get his next shot. With 13:35 left in the 3rd quarter, Brees connected with Terrell Fletcher for a 6-yard completion, the first of his career.
Brees would follow this up, by leading the Chargers on four straight scoring drive, but suffering defeat in the end. He finished the game 15 of 27 for 221 yards and 1 TD that was hauled in by Freddie Jones. This would be the only time Brees saw action before becoming the full-time starter in the 2002 season.
Brees finished Sunday afternoons game against the Falcons completing 39 of 49 passes for 396 yards and three TD’s through the air. He also added 2 rushing TD’s, the first coming late in the fourth quarter, with Brees performing a spin move to get past two defenders and rushing in for the game-tying score. Then on the final play of the game, Brees took a QB draw into the end zone in overtime for the game-winning TD.
