SAN FRANCISCO – One of the most foregone professional sports conclusions in the history of foregone professional sports conclusions was concluded Thursday night at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater.

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who spent the final 15 years of his 20-year career in New Orleans, was introduced as a member of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class.

Brees, who retired in 2020, became the first first-ballot Hall of Famer in franchise history – Hall of Famer No. 383 – an honor befitting the best player in franchise history, the best free agent signee in franchise history and, arguably, the most important player in franchise history.

Brees signed with the Saints in 2006, after five seasons with the Chargers, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He led New Orleans to the NFC Championship Game that season and was named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year due to his on-field excellence and off-field philanthropy.

"None of this is possible without Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis believing in me at a time when it was kind of hard for me to believe in myself, coming off of that injury," said Brees, who received congratulatory calls from Payton, Loomis and Saints owner Gayle Benson. "Those guys saw something in me, believed in me and it equipped and empowered me to be the best that I could be.

"Without that confidence and without that belief in me this wouldn't have happened. Certainly, I would never have had the opportunity to come to New Orleans. I can tell you this: I know New Orleans was looking for a quarterback, but I promise you I needed New Orleans more than New Orleans needed me.

"I had the chance to be a part of something so special that most guys don't get a chance to be a part of. Most people don't get a chance to be a part of something that's just so much bigger than them. We're all so much better for it."

The Saints and Brees quickly found their bests together, and his ascension up the NFL's statistical ladder was astounding.

Brees topped 5,000 passing yards five times; eight other quarterbacks have combined to total the 10 other 5,000-yard passing seasons in league history. He threw a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games, another league record, and totaled 80,358 passing yards (second in NFL history), 571 passing touchdowns (second), 7,142 completions (first), and led 172 wins (fourth) while completing 67.7 percent of his passes (third).

Brees also was the Most Valuable Player in the Saints' victory over Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV, was named All-Pro five times, was a Pro Bowler 13 times and twice was NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

He set NFL records for most touchdown passes in a game (seven) and the highest single-season completion percentage (74.4).

The Saints Hall of Fame member, who will be inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor, led the NFL in passing yards seven times, led the league in touchdown passes four times, was the league's Comeback Player of the Year as a Charger in 2004 and led the Saints to seven NFC South Division titles, nine 10-win seasons and three NFC Championship Game appearances.

Brees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in August in Canton, Ohio, along with Class of '26 members running back Roger Craig, receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

"It's still pretty surreal," Brees said. "I think moment by moment it becomes more real. Obviously, there's that first knock on the door and all of a sudden there's (Hall of fame quarterback) Dan Fouts in his gold jacket telling you that you're the next member of the Hall of Fame. And then a few hours ago, walking in the room with the class for the first time."

Fouts presented the news to Brees, but he needed a little help.

"My son and I share a birthday," Brees said. "Baylen was born on my 30^th birthday. Our birthday was on the Thursday, Jan. 15, and so that weekend was kind of his birthday weekend. Monday rolled around – Martin Luther King Day – and my daughter said Dad, I want to take you out to dinner for your birthday. And it was just like, 'Ah, this is great.' So she's like, be ready by 5.

"So my wife (Brittany) and daughter are ready by 5, they're going to take me out to eat and the boys are going to come, too. And the boys are kind of dragging. They're upstairs and I went, 'Boys, Rylen said 5 o'clock we've got to leave, let's respect that.' And the boys are dragging and I'm starting to get upset.

"Little did I know that Britt had told them, 'Hey, stall, stall.' And all of a sudden there's a knock at the door. And I mean, I'm getting ready to get in the car and drive away. I'm like, we need to teach these boys a lesson. And then there's Dan Fouts. And it's like, 'You guys set me up, you got me.'"

And the Pro Football Hall of Fame got him, and placed him exactly where everyone knew he belonged.