While not surprising, the announcement that Drew Brees was retiring from football after 20 years in the NFL - the last 15 with the New Orleans Saints - dominated social media Sunday, March 14, 2021, 15 years to the day when Brees joined the Saints.
Here are a sampling of the posts:
It was an honor and privilege to share the field w/ one of the best ever.
— Marques Colston (@MarquesColston) March 15, 2021
Your competitive fire and daily commitment raised the expectations of everyone around you- teammates, coaches, a franchise, and an entire city.
Congrats on an incredible career. Enjoy the next chapter. pic.twitter.com/3hsg0MFr5m
Dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!! Greatest Q B 1 Ever to touch the statline!!!!!! Dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!! #1 pic.twitter.com/4HIW2xGhK0
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 14, 2021
Congrats brotha!! And thank you for all that you have meant to so many, including me. Welcome to retirement. https://t.co/VzNwUTZNac
— Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) March 14, 2021
Iâm glad I have very little left to say...It was an honor. It was a privilege. I didnât take it for granted, and Iâm thankful for every minute I got to spend with him. Above all, @drewbrees is an All-pro person... honestly, thatâs all that matters. Congrats buddy.
— Zach Strief (@ZachStrief) March 14, 2021
đ out! âđŸ https://t.co/f0eJyKqRr8
— T. Stead đ€đ§ (@T_Armstead72) March 14, 2021
@drewbrees It was an honor and privilege to be led by one of the greatest players Iâve ever seen and one of the greatest men Iâve met! God Bless you in retirement and in ya next chapter of life!! đ
— Deonte Harris (@tayynation1) March 15, 2021
Aye @drewbrees since you retired get good at madden so I can beat you with you đâđŸ Much respect Goat đ đđŸ
— Ceedy Duce. (@CGJXXIII) March 15, 2021
"What an honor and privilege these last 5 years have been to be blessed with the opportunity to line up and play on the same team as you,"
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 15, 2021
- a thank you note from @CantGuardMike to @DrewBrees #ThankYouDrew pic.twitter.com/sfOdYeWtGI
There will be another quarterback for the New Orleans Saints next year. But there will never be another Drew Brees. https://t.co/bFoOep4VqZ
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) March 14, 2021
Sad day for the city New Orleans.
— Jermon Bushrod (@j_bushrod7475) March 14, 2021
#9 will be missed ON and OFF the field.
As a college intern in San Diego, I covered Drew Brees getting drafted into the @NFL & then was at the Superdome when he set the leagueâs all-time touchdown passes record (at the time). In between he provided so many other thrilling moments, congrats on a great career #9! pic.twitter.com/e8zc1aIcxV
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) March 14, 2021
Congrats, Drew... and family! What a remarkable journey! https://t.co/U9qLKngMfl
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 14, 2021
Great way to make the announcement and fitting on the same day he signed with the #saints 15 years ago...
— Mike Nabors (@MikeNabors) March 14, 2021
Who would have imagined his impact to so many 15 years later https://t.co/0yl8BcLv4A
đ.... Thanks for EVERYTHING #9! đ #GoSaints https://t.co/2PEgJaW3Y1
— Scott Shanle (@scottshanle) March 14, 2021
Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints announced his retirement, ending a 20-year career defined by relentless attention to detail. https://t.co/lyhfPxB1su
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 14, 2021
Drew Brees pic.twitter.com/601PB7AFJs
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 14, 2021
Amazing Career @DrewBrees
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 14, 2021
Legend.
Thanks for all you did for me & the game! đđŸ#HOF
Mission accomplished Drew!
— Morten Andersen (@GreatDane2544) March 14, 2021
You did it with class.
Few know the attention to detail that you committed to in order to become legendary!
Therein lies your legacy along with your human spirit and giving nature:) https://t.co/Y6cyx32AF0
No words can account for what he meant to the game, the players and an entire city. I consider myself lucky to have had a front row seat to greatness. https://t.co/tB4mSTIrDl
— George Atallah (@GeorgeAtallah) March 14, 2021
#ThankYouDrew #Saints pic.twitter.com/C69FOtXinO
— Darth Saint (@Darth_Saint) March 14, 2021
Thank you, @drewbrees, for all the memories. Congratulations on an incredible career. Who Dat forever. #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/QcB1uMl35J
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) March 14, 2021
Congrats @drewbrees on a ridiculously great career. What he and @SeanPayton did for the city of #NewOrleans at a time they really needed it was bigger than football
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 14, 2021
Congrats my friend on an incredible career. Thank you for the inspiration and dedication on and off the field! Look forward to seeing whatâs next @drewbrees https://t.co/2rDMn78OQD
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 14, 2021
Thank you to @drewbrees for everything you have done for our team and community! Working together, you and Sean Payton brought the Saints back after Katrina, and with it, much of our civic pride. pic.twitter.com/Gm1ET7sXcq
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) March 14, 2021
#ThankYouDrew pic.twitter.com/3RrC7JyJOx
— NFL (@NFL) March 14, 2021
Congratulations on an unbelievable career @drewbrees!! Thank you for inspiring a kid from Austin to chase his dreams.
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) March 14, 2021
Drew overcame a potentially career-ending injury and accomplished all this. Itâs emotional to look back at how he came roaring back. He was fully dedicated to the process with unparalleled work ethic.
— Tom House (@tomhousesports) March 14, 2021
I count myself lucky to have learned from him! https://t.co/zQxanhXR3p
Congratulations on an amazing career @drewbrees! đ https://t.co/5CYLNbvkNV
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) March 15, 2021
