What a Brees
Drew sets all-time passing yards record in grand style
NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees became the NFL’s all-time leader in yards passing — and he did it in style.
The 39-year-old Brees eclipsed Peyton Manning’s previous record of 71,940 yards with a 62-yard touchdown pass to rookie Tre’Quan Smith during the second quarter of Monday night’s 43-19 win over the Redskins. Brees finished the game 26-of-29 for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
After the record-breaking completion, officials stopped the game and the game ball was handed over to Pro Football Hall of Fame officials on the sideline while the Superdome crowd offered a standing ovation. Brees removed his helmet, held out his arm to salute the crowd and hugged his wife, Brittany, and children on the sideline.
“I love you guys so much,” Brees said while hugging his three boys as Brittany held their daughter nearby. “You can accomplish anything in life if you’re willing to work for it.”
Brees entered the game needing 201 yards for the record and passed for 250 by halftime as his fellow athletes saluted him on social media.
“Congrats on the achievement/ milestone. Sheesh that’s a lot of passing yards!!” LeBron James tweeted.
In a victory at Atlanta earlier this season, Brees broke Brett Favre’s career record of 6,300 completions. Brees still needs 42 touchdown passes to surpass Manning’s record of 539, something the Saints quarterback could achieve next season if he maintains his current level of play. But Brees also would have to outpace the Patriots’ Tom Brady, who has 500 TD passes, the only active player with more than Brees in that category. Brees threw No. 499 in the third quarter on Monday night.