Drew Brees won't need a GPS assist when the time comes next year.

He was in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, on Aug. 2, celebrating the HOF induction of former San Diego Chargers teammate Antonio Gates, a tight end with whom he played three productive seasons (2003-05).

He's familiar with the location of the shrine and the treasures inside, and there's every reason for it to feel like home for Brees, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback who has entered his first year of induction eligibility.

While his inclusion seems only a matter of formality, this year the spotlight belonged to Gates.

"It was a Charger reunion, is what it was, a lot of guys from back then," Brees said Thursday while in New Orleans for the third annual NOLA PickleFest. The pickleball tournament, which raises funds for the Brees Foundation and is being held at the Morial Convention Center, will conclude Saturday.

"We had a great time (in Canton)," Brees said. "Saw a lot of gold jackets walking around, the guys that had been inducted, a lot of guys in our generation, guys that I played with or against through the years. So you certainly have such an appreciation for what it means to be a Hall of Famer and the contributions that some of these guys have made to the game. And even to be considered in that class this year, is a great honor."

Next year figures to be a combination celebration of Saints and Chargers, as Brees carries a mammoth resume that stacks well against any in NFL history.

Brees finished his 20-year career (15 in New Orleans, five with the Chargers) with 80,358 passing yards (second all-time), 571 passing touchdowns (second), while completing 67.7 percent of his passes (third). He holds NFL records for passing touchdowns in a game (seven, tied with seven others), completion percentage in a single season (74.4), 5,000-yard seasons (five) and consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54).

Additionally, the Super Bowl XLIV Most Valuable Player holds 14 franchise records for the Saints, was a five-time All-Pro, 13-time Pro Bowler and Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006.

It's enough of a haul that, while not making any concrete assumptions of induction, Brees at least has thought enough that he has an introductory speaker in mind.

"I'll let you know," he said, smiling.

Brees addressed several topics as he ran down the genesis and objectives of PickleFest.

"Wanted to bring kind of a fun, signature event to New Orleans this time of year, kind of leading up to football season," he said. "And also picking up on the pickleball craze – a ton of people in this community and throughout the southeast play the sport. It's pretty hot outside these days, so we brought it into the convention center."

The event required adjoining several halls of the convention center to create "a couple hundred thousand square feet," Brees said.

"About 30 courts, and a ton of amateurs just going at it in the amateur tournament. So many people come out to support the event and participate in it. And this all leads up to a big Saturday showdown, which this year Andre Agassi (International Tennis Hall of Famer and eight-time Grand Slam men's singles winner) is coming to town.

"So, he and I are going to actually play against some of the winners from the tournament, some of our raffle winners, some of our sponsors and then he and I are going to play in a singles match at the end. So, I better bring my A game for Andre."

Brees said the event continues to grow, generating provision for more assistance.

"The community involvement, the amount of money that we're able to raise for our foundation to continue to put into all our initiatives in the community, all centered around housing, health-care, education, economic development," he said.

"We obviously love being able to host really fun events like this, that get the community engaged and to come out and have a good time but also, to be able to raise money for some very worthy causes in New Orleans.

"People literally come from all over the country to play in this event, so it's not just Louisiana or Texas or Florida. It's around the country, and I've had people play in the tournament from age 9 all the way up to age 82. It has created this huge connection between multiple generations, and it has become a national phenomenon."