Brees signed with the Saints in 2006, after five seasons with the Chargers, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He led New Orleans to the NFC Championship Game that season and was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year due to his on-field excellence and off-field philanthropy.

“None of this is possible without Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis believing in me at a time when it was kind of hard for me to believe in myself, coming off of that injury,” said Brees, who received congratulatory calls from Payton, Loomis and Saints owner Gayle Benson. “There was those guys saw something in me, believed in me and it equipped and empowered me to be the best that I could be.

“Without that confidence and without that belief in me this wouldn’t have happened. Certainly, I would never have had the opportunity to come to New Orleans. I can tell you this: I know New Orleans was looking for a quarterback, but I promise you I needed New Orleans more than New Orleans needed me.

“I had the chance to be a part of something so special that most guys don’t get a chance to be a part of. Most people don’t get a chance to be a part of something that’s just so much bigger than them. We’re all so much better for it.”

The Saints and Brees quickly found their bests together, and his ascension up the NFL’s statistical ladder was astounding.

Brees topped 5,000 passing yards five times; eight other quarterbacks have combined to total the 10 other 5,000-yard passing seasons in league history. He threw a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games, another league record, and totaled 80,358 passing yards (second in NFL history), 571 passing touchdowns (second), 7,142 completions (first), and led 172 wins (fourth) while completing 67.7 percent of his passes (third).

Brees also was the Most Valuable Player in the Saints’ victory over Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV, was named All-Pro five times, was a Pro Bowler 13 times and twice was NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

He set NFL records for most touchdown passes in a game (seven) and the highest single-season completion percentage (74.4).