Latest news with #NOLAPickleFest
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Drew Brees comments on attending a former Kansas City Chiefs rival's Hall of Fame ceremony
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.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Drew Brees opens up about the Kansas City Chiefs' AFC West rivals' second-year quarterback
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 his thoughts on his former head coach leading the Denver Broncos. "This is our foundation event. The Brees Dream Foundation, established in 2003, helps improve the quality of life for cancer patients and provides care and education opportunities for children and families in need." said Brees, "We've been involved in New Orleans community now for 20 years, going back to the rebuilding efforts in 2006 post Katrina, rebuilding schools, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, finding child care programs to now even taking on bigger projects like public private partnerships in and around affordable housing, building, health care facilities and underserved communities, 13 of them, to be exact. So we've been able to raise a committee over $55 million over the last 20 years, which has been remarkable. We've had so many great partners along the way. Jimmy John's is one of them. That's why these relationships are so meaningful." Sean Payton coached Brees and the New Orleans Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV, which has helped turn the Broncos into a potential challenger in the AFC to the Kansas City Chiefs. "I know Sean's excited about his team. Over the last few years, you've just seen how they've built it. I know that Sean wants to play great defense. He wants to run the football," said Brees, "People talk about what he did in the pass game. But really, those are the core principles if you play great. Defense and running the football set you up for success in many ways, but especially for a quarterback who's a quarterback's best friend when you have those two things operating at a high level." The Broncos were led by rookie Bo Nix, who was effective against the Chiefs in two meetings and nearly completed a regular-season sweep. Brees spent time with the now-second-year quarterback during the offseason and left with high praise for his development. "Bo (Nix) was impressive, and I had a chance to spend time with him. I think he's a really bright guy. He's got a ton of experience and maturity. He got his years, played a ton of college football, and had 61 starts or something. He's got a unique skill set, because he's an incredible athlete—a great track athlete in high school. You can see that when he runs and extends plays," said Brees. "Also, his ability to execute the short intermediate passing game and push the ball down the field is impressive. Got some big targets there in Denver. So I think they have high hopes and high expectations. They played in a tough division because the (Los Angeles) Chargers with (Jim) Harbaugh will be, ground and pound, great defense, and obviously, had a great year last year. Then, of course, the Chiefs, so they got their work cut out for them, but I know they have high expectations." 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.
