Despite announcing his retirement earlier this month, Drew Brees‘ legacy with the New Orleans Saints lives on.
27-year-old Jameis Winston spent one season as Brees’ backup and got emotional talking about the impact Brees had in his life.
"He doesn't even know how much he means to me and my family,"
Winston's emotional response on the last moments he shared with Brees on the field and the impact he had on him ⚜️#ThankYouDrew pic.twitter.com/xi4Rwz2f2f
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 23, 2021
What Jameis Winston Said
Winston broke down trying to articulate what working alongside Drew Brees in 2020 meant to him.
He said that Brees has no idea how he impacted Winston.
Watching how he approached the game day in and day out with the added challenge of a rib injury in 2020 was inspirational for Jameis Winston.
In the same interview, he also spoke to Brees directly.
Winston on his respect for Brees:
"I respect you. It was a privilege to learn from you" pic.twitter.com/IVs6v4zee2
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 23, 2021
“I love you, and it was a privilege to get to learn from you last year, and really just see what I’ve admired from afar, it was real. I’m thankful that you’ve shown me how to be an NFL quarterback, man. That was a privilege.”
Winston would not share the details of the exchange he and Brees had on the field after the Saints lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs.
He said it was private but also added he doesn’t remember everything that was said.
Winston said it was a special moment between the two that he will treasure.
Winston’s Alabama Roots
Jameis Winston grew up in Bessemer, Alabama.
He was a teenager when Drew Brees led the Saints to the Super Bowl victory at the end of the 2009 season.
Brees and the Saints breathed new life and hope into an area of the country that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina a few years earlier.
That is something that stuck with Winston too; he looked up to Brees.
Having the opportunity to play on the same team with him understandably was the thrill of a lifetime.
What’s Next For The Saints And Winston
Jameis Winston on potential QB competition with Taysom Hill: "I admire Taysom as well. Just his ability to do everything… The way he maneuvers, the we he handles all of his responsibilities as a pro."
…"The chance to grow with him & compete with him, I'm excited." #Saints
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) March 23, 2021
It looks like a friendly quarterback competition will be how the Saints decide who Brees’ successor is.
The Saints and Winston agreed to a one year deal for $5.5 million; however there is $7 million in incentives built into it.
There is also Taysom Hill who has also been waiting in the wings.
His contract is also a one year deal but for a lot more money than Winston is getting, $16.15 million, to be exact.
Sean Payton no longer has his Hall of Fame guy in the pocket who can make things happen; the playbook will need to be altered for either Winston or Hill.
Drew Brees Will Still Be In Football
Recently retired Drew Brees officially joins NBC Sports as broadcaster: "I'm part of the team now, a new team"https://t.co/2GIba78rRJ pic.twitter.com/Umk0Pddc1J
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 15, 2021
The best news about Drew Brees’ retirement was that he was not walking away from the game of football altogether.
He is joining NBC Sports and will have a variety of assignments including college football, the Tokyo Olympics, and we can expect to see him on Sunday Night Football also.
We also certainly will see him in Canton 5 years from now wearing his gold jacket and taking his rightful place among the legends of the game in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NEXT: Did The Saints Overpay Taysom Hill? (Breakdown)