The 42-year-old NFL player who came to the New Orleans Saints after Hurricane Katrina in 2006: "I gave my heart and soul every day to be your quarterback"
Breeze.
A rich career came to an end
Photo:
EPA
One of the longest and richest careers in the NFL came to an end when the legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Breeze announced tonight (Sunday through Monday) his retirement from active play at age 42 and after 20 seasons in the American Football League.
Announcing his retirement were Breeze's four children who were photographed for a video posted on his Instagram account, in which they announced: "After 15 years with the Saints and 20 years in the NFL, our dad is finally retiring so he can spend more time with us, yes!" .
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Drew Brees (@drewbrees)
Breeze added to the post a personal message in which he wrote: "It's my time to retire from the football game. Every day, I gave my heart and soul to be your quarterback. To the end I exhausted myself to give everything I have to the Saints, my team, and the wonderful city of New Orleans. We experienced amazing moments together, many of which are imprinted in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us. "
Finally, Breeze addressed the Saints fans: "You have shaped me, strengthened me, given me inspiration and memories for a lifetime. My goal for the last 15 years has been to strive to give you everything you have given me and more. I only retire from active play, but I do not retire from New. Orleans. This is not the end, but a new beginning. Now the real work begins! "
Breeze retires as he leads the NFL in the amount of yards he has delivered throughout his career (80,358) and is ranked second in touchdown dedication ever (571).
Most of all, Breeze will be remembered as someone who helped rehabilitate and revive the Saints along with coach Sean Peyton when he arrived after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2006.