It was really a special day in Canton, Ohio.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies, where 5-modern day stars were enshrined. A memory of a lifetime after a career of great moments in a lifetime.
It was like the biggest game of the season, the most important start of his career, and Drew Brees, the ex-Chargers-Saints quarterback, put on a 400-yard passing day speech.
It may well have been the most inspirational twenty minutes I have ever heard. History, meaning, describing the fabric of football, team values, individual challenges, highs, lows, successes, failures, benchings, injuries and then raising a Super Bowl trophy.
From a 2nd round draft pick with the San Diego Chargers, to getting the starting job, to getting benched, to becoming a winning quarterback, to a near catastrophic injury, he experienced it all.
In New Orleans, linked with a mad-scientist coach, they raised the Saints franchise from the depths of despair to a Super Bowl win, and raised the hopes-emotions of the Hurricane Katrina ravaged city to bring the Parish back to life.
Drew Brees’ career was more than just (80,320Y) passing and (571-TD). It was about achievement against all odds. It was a learning curve of what it took to be good, to excel, to survive.
The speech was a primer book on the true meaning of dedication, growth, values and spirit.
Quotes from one of the best speeches I have ever heard, from one of the best quarterbacks and people I have ever been around.
Drew Brees:
..Football bonds you for life. You laugh, cry, love those people you play with.
..I was hard wired to always compete
..QB is a sturdy hand to steer the ship
..Loved the rhythm of the game, playcalls, cadence, mechanics, execution.
..Loved the chess match of a game-make a masterpiece.
..Put my faith in Christ..committed and protected.
..Chargers-right place at the right time.
..Marty Schottenheimer was my biggest fan..biggest motivator..benched me 3X
..Learning adversity was a necessity.
..New Orleans-a city that had lost everything because of the flood.
..I embraced the soul of the city-New Orleans inspired us.
..Sean Payton-brilliant-precise…I became an extension of him
..There’s a magic in the life of a locker room that becomes life outside that locker room
..Played 20-years for the love of the game and love of my teammates.
What Brees said at the Podium was the way he lived in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage.
What a career-what a speech-what a player and person.
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The Spanos goofs could never comprehend what they had in Marty and Drew. I will always wonder what a Saban/Brees Dolphins team could have been.