Drew Brees comments on attending a former Kansas City Chiefs rival's Hall of Fame ceremony

USA Today

3 days ago

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees about his partnership with Jimmy John's, creating his personalized sandwich, The Brees #9, which tied into the recent NOLA Pickle Fest, and attending this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony.
"That's why these relationships are so important. But this NOLA Pickle Fest is one of our signature foundation events in the New Orleans Convention Center. We chose many mega events throughout the year, and this is one of them," said Brees. "So, 30 pickleball courts. Our center court is black and gold. It's pretty awesome. It's surrounded by Mardi Gras floats."
Tennis legend Andre Agassi joined Brees during the weekend of competition, continuing his efforts alongside Jimmy John's to give back to the New Orleans community.
"I came here at a point in my career in 2006 when I was coming off a major shoulder injury, leaving the San Diego Chargers. I'm not sure what my career would hold, if I'd ever be able to play a football game. I had doctors tell me that," said Brees, "I think my career here, and just my future, were hanging in the balance, and New Orleans, coming off Hurricane Katrina, was probably feeling many of the same emotions. I'm not sure what the future holds, and yet we just came together at that perfect time. It was God's calling for me and my wife, Brittany, to be here in New Orleans, to land here in New Orleans and have the opportunity we had here, and to be a part of the resurrection of one of America's greatest cities."
Brees attended this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony to celebrate former Chargers teammate Antonio Gates, who was inducted alongside former Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen in the 2025 class. Gates was a nemesis in games against Kansas City during his 16 years with the Chargers in the AFC West.
"I was actually in Canton to celebrate Antonio Gates going in (Pro Football Hall of Fame). He was an incredible teammate. I was his teammate in numbers three, four, and five (2003-2005). Some incredible years, to watch his journey from being a college basketball player, which I know was the storyline, was that he was the first Hall of Famer who never took a snap of college football," said Brees, "It's pretty remarkable when you think about it. But the player he became, the type of teammate he was, the way the team loved him. The community loved him in San Diego; his journey was pretty amazing and deserved to be celebrated. It was really like a big Chargers reunion back there. It was fun to see all those guys."
The former Super Bowl MVP, who will be eligible for induction for the first time next year, shared his thoughts on the potential honor.
"I'd say, when I was there, it became a little bit of reality, like, Okay, I'm eligible and it is just soaking it all in, just like I've been there a few times to watch some other teammates go in," said Brees, "It's really an amazing club that those guys have a chance to be a part of just talking to them, that's what you feel, it's, not only just the history of the game, but, it's all these multiple generations of guys, they continue to come back year after year and support each other. It's just a reflection of the evolution of the NFL, and I think what it's meant to so many people, communities, and fan bases, and you feel that energy when you're there."
Fans can order The Brees #9, Drew's personal Jimmy John's go-to order, for the first time. Available for a limited time through August 31st, the order supports Jimmy John's Foundation, benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Brees Dream Foundation.