Coming Back Stronger

by Drew Brees

  There’s something about watching an innocent child suffer that cuts to your core. Not only are these kids in unimaginable pain, but they haven’t had an opportunity to lead a “normal” life yet, to just be a kid. At times, I think one of the most important parts of treatment can be simply putting smiles on kids’ faces or letting them know you’re there for them, encouraging them that they can pull through.

  We’re very involved with some projects in Southern California from my time with the Chargers, and we still have a great relationship with the San Diego community. One of the most exciting opportunities has been a project at the hematology/oncology ward at Rady Children’s Hospital. In May 2010 we hosted a golf tournament that raised more than $100,000, which helped complete funding for Carley’s Magical Gardens, a pavilion in the hospital with a tree house, bronze animals, and a garden play area, where kids can relax and dream.

  Since we established the foundation in 2003, Brittany had another aunt, Ann Jones, who passed away—this time from pancreatic cancer. It took her quickly and came as a shock to the whole family. Much like Aunt Judie, Aunt Ann was one of those people who held the family together. This experience was another reminder of why we feel compelled to do everything we can to help with cancer research and provide support for patients. We hope to put up two plaques beside Carley’s Magical Gardens with Aunt Judie’s and Aunt Ann’s names on them to commemorate their lives and the type of people they were.

  We’ve also worked with an organization in San Diego called Friends of Scott. There was a young man named Scott Delgadillo, who died of cancer in 2001. His family started a foundation to fund different programs for children with life-threatening diseases. One of the programs we are especially excited about is for kids who miss their prom or formal dance due to illness. By hosting the Annual Unforgettable Prom night, this organization gives sick children a chance to get dressed up, ride in a limo, and celebrate a special evening. It’s a simple way for them to enjoy something cancer took from their lives. And since everything from the formalwear to the catered food is donated, this free event is a blessing to the parents as well as the kids.

  The Brees Dream Foundation might sound pretty official, but in reality, the whole organization is just Brittany, me, and my marketing agent and good friend, Chris Stuart. And since the three of us take no pay for our work, we operate at nearly zero overhead cost. Our philosophy is simple—a dollar in is a dollar out. All the money raised in a specific community stays in that community. Our passion is clear—to help people. We don’t want anything to get in the way of that.

  A New Vision

  Although New Orleans and San Diego get most of the media attention, we are still thrilled to be making an impact back at Purdue University. In West Lafayette, Indiana, we support the Purdue Athletes Life Success program (PALS), a free camp offered during the summer for about four hundred kids. It was once run by the National Youth Sports program, but it looked like it would have to shut down when their federal funding was pulled. We’d seen research about how positively this camp was impacting the kids long-term, and we didn’t want to let the program die, so our foundation took it over. We fund it through a charity golf tournament and a special corporate relationship with Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union.

  The camp uses sports to teach kids life skills—teamwork, discipline, leadership, and a good attitude. There’s also an art program, a computer program, and a financial literacy program that partners with the credit union. I’m the spokesperson for Visa’s practical money skills program, which teaches kids how to manage their money and live within their means. I strongly believe that the earlier you can start teaching kids how to manage and save their money, the better equipped they’ll be when they get to college and into their careers.

  When I signed with New Orleans in 2006, we broadened the scope of our foundation to encompass the rebuilding efforts in the city, but our vision remained centered on kids. Less than a year removed from Katrina, we saw that there were still so many needs in New Orleans. We wanted to help rebuild schools, parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields, as well as fund child care programs, after-school programs, internships, and even teachers’ salaries at schools that needed it. I am a firm believer that when you provide kids with a healthy learning environment and constructive after-school activities like sports or clubs or the arts, you are keeping them out of trouble and putting them in the best position to succeed. After all the children of New Orleans had gone through—being displaced from their schools, having their parks destroyed, and losing some of their familiar, safe places—we felt this was the least we could do. We didn’t want them to lose out on any more of their childhood. The kids here have captured our hearts, and we know how vital the next generation is to the growth of the community.

  In a lot of ways, this city and I have had parallel journeys. New Orleans was trying to come back at the same time I was rehabbing my shoulder and trying to resurrect my career. I had to learn how to throw again and then rebuild my arm strength, and it was the same with the city. There were areas where the floodwaters completely knocked homes and buildings off their foundations, and people had a chance to start over, to bring things back even better than they were before.

  Somebody once said to me, “If you love New Orleans, it will love you back. But if you hate it, it will hate you back.” Brittany and I have found that as we’ve grown to love this city, it has given us more love than we ever could have expected. And as we’ve become involved in charitable work, the payback for us—emotionally and spiritually—has been far beyond what we will ever be able to provide for it.

  Still, the needs were overwhelming at first. Where do you start when everything is devastated? Brittany and I had to ask ourselves some hard questions to figure out what the priorities should be. We felt like one of the best ways for the city to get back on its feet was to bring people home again. We kept coming back to a few central questions: What was going to attract people who had been displaced to return to New Orleans? What would draw people who had never lived here but could discover this as a land of opportunity and a great place to raise kids, like we had?

  Across the board, parents want to give their children opportunities for success in life, and we figured some of their top priorities would be schools and sports programs. That’s why we targeted education, parks, athletics, and other youth activities. Those improvements were tangible rays of hope for the residents too—reminders that they could have confidence in their city and that the rebuilding would continue.

  It took about a year to identify twelve projects in town we wanted to tackle, and in June 2007, with the help of our partner, Operation Kids, we launched the Rebuilding Dreams in New Orleans campaign. These twelve projects totaled $1.8 million and were targeted at the needs of children in the area. Some of the organizations we were helping had been let down before—federal money had been misappropriated, or those who had promised money hadn’t followed through. We told those groups, “We are committing to raise this money, or it will come out of our pockets. And the money is going to go where we’ve promised. You will see results.” We wanted to send the message that no matter how things had been done in the past, we were going to be dependable and reliable. They could count on us.

  In May 2009, we completed the $1.8 million funding that went to those twelve organizations. One that really captured my heart was Lusher Charter School. Prior to Katrina, the building had housed another school that had been closed due to poor academic performance and other issues. When the hurricane hit, the empty facility was used as a shelter for the homeless and those escaping the storm. By the time the dust settled, the school was in terrible disrepair. But due to some extraordinary leadership, as well as the commitment of parents and children to return to their neighborhood, a new school was established in its place: Lusher Charter School.

  They already had a strong music, theater, and dance program—the one thing they were missing was an athletic program. We were able to put about $750,000 toward
a new athletic field and a weight room for training. Brittany and I go there to visit from time to time, and when we do, we feel like alumni. As we walk around, kids will casually say, “Hey, Drew,” and keep walking. They don’t rush up for an autograph or a picture—I’m just part of the Lusher family now. That’s a great feeling.

  Another big project was a school right down the street from our house called Samuel J. Green Charter School. It’s a school for kindergarten through eighth grade that emphasizes culinary arts—hence its nickname, the Edible Schoolyard. They have a greenhouse and a garden where they grow fruits, vegetables, and spices right on the school grounds. They learn about the science of growing and what flourishes in different climates and at different times of the year. Then they use that food each day in the classroom and the lunchroom.

  New Orleans has a long tradition in cuisine, so this school really fits the unique persona of our city. Plus, the opportunities it provides cultivate a sense of pride, self-esteem, and confidence in kids. Many students and their families come to school on the weekends to tend to their row of vegetables or fruit. We provided Samuel J. Green Charter School with $250,000 for the development of their Edible Schoolyard as well as the installation of a professional kitchen.

  Over the years it has been fun to partner with other groups that have a similar vision for the city. Organizations we support like the Idea Village attract young, entrepreneurial talent to New Orleans to establish small businesses and bring jobs and stability to the city. The Brees Dream Foundation has been able to identify organizations that have great plans and solid leadership in place but need a little extra to get over the top and complete funding. We pride ourselves in finding these causes and helping to close out funding for some great projects in a way that will have a significant impact. The thought that this city could come back stronger was once only a dream. Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we must keep our heads down and press forward because there is still a lot of work left to do. We must stay focused and embrace the opportunity.

  Giving back to the community isn’t only about money, either. As a professional athlete, whether you like it or not, you’re a role model. A lot of people—especially kids—look up to you. I know that when I was a kid, I watched the pros’ every move, hung on their every word, and tried to model my life after theirs. As important as it is to share the blessings I’ve been given, my heart needs to be in the right place too. I need to do the right things for the right reasons—out of a heart that cares about others and genuinely wants to make a difference.

  I want kids to look at me and say, “When I grow up, I want to make that kind of impact on the world.” It’s not just about being a good athlete on the field; it’s also about being a giving person off the field.

  As a quarterback, I can’t think of many thrills quite like seeing your team come together and accomplish an objective you’ve been working toward all season. That’s kind of how I feel about getting to see these different pieces of the foundation come together too. I love watching each person on the team working toward a common goal and making a difference.

  Our Biggest Fans

  As professional athletes, we can sometimes get wrapped up in things like goals and records and championships and trophies. We’re concerned about contracts and bonuses and the business side of the game. We can pay a lot of attention to the media and all the publicity. But what really helps keep us grounded is when we hear from some of our most special fans.

  Devan Muller was a little five-year-old with a big smile who came to a Saints practice in the 2007 off-season. He had gone through a major heart surgery, and things weren’t going well for him. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he was given the chance to have one of his dreams come true. He was a huge Saints fan, and his wish was to attend a Saints practice. He wanted to meet some of the players and throw the ball with me. So we brought Devan into the team meeting room during an off-season practice, took him out to the field, and gave him a chance to step into the huddle. He even got to follow alongside us while we ran drills. Afterward Devan stayed out on the field, and the two of us played catch and talked. I’ve never seen a kid grin so big for so long.

  We’ve had the opportunity to meet other kids through Make-A-Wish, and one boy even did an honorary coin toss in the middle of the field on game day. We’ll do whatever we can to let those kids live out a dream. Without fail, they’re more of an inspiration to me than I could ever be to them.

  We’ve gotten letters from parents saying, “Our son passed away this last week, but what he was constantly talking about until the end was the opportunity to come and be with you and meet the team. It was a dream come true for us. Thank you for giving that joy and happiness to our child.” Letters like that from a hurting parent put everything in perspective. You have a brush with one of those special little guys, and you realize how fortunate you really are. You also realize that others around you are going through tough times—challenges that most people can’t even imagine.

  There are also success stories, where parents write and say, “My son is doing great. He was given a couple of months to live, but now he’s doing well and the doctors think he might pull through it. We think when he came to practice and threw the ball with you, it was a huge turning point. It gave him something to look forward to, and he wants to come back again when he’s cancer-free.”

  These kids may be our fans, but they are our heroes. Some of them might not have much time left on earth, but they’re fighting every day to live life to the fullest. They motivate us as a team to be all we can be—a team worthy of the special kids who want to be close to us.

  I think a lot about the term calling. Brittany and I felt that when we came to New Orleans. I sensed that God was bringing us here for a reason. Most people think they’re called somewhere because of what they can do for a community or a cause. But to me, it’s also because that community can help you along where you need it. The truth is, as much as Brittany and I have invested in New Orleans in terms of football and the foundation, this city has given it all back to us tenfold. I will always be thankful—to the people of this city and to the God who called me here.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Building a Championship Team

  Although my shoulder had made it through the 2006 season just fine and had gotten stronger every week, I still felt there was a lot of progress to be made before the 2007 season rolled around. Dr. Andrews had said it would be at least an eight-month rehab process just to get back on the field, but that it would take about two years before I would feel “normal” again. I wasn’t sure what he meant at the time, but I was beginning to understand. I kept working on strengthening and conditioning exercises during the off-season. I had moments when I was throwing the ball as well as I’d ever thrown it, but it was taking time to become as consistent as I wanted to be. It sounds weird to say that after coming off the best season of my career, but even after all the time and maintenance I’d put into my shoulder that year, I knew there was still room for improvement. The retooling of my throwing motion during rehab had made a big difference in my efficiency and the way my arm felt. I knew that with more time and repetition, my shoulder would only get stronger.

  My goal for each year is simple: to be better than I was the year before. You can’t always look at the stats to make that conclusion, either. Sometimes you are only able to determine your progress by digging deep and evaluating yourself. As I looked ahead to 2007, I was building from the baseline of where I’d finished the season in 2006. That year I felt like I became stronger each game. Now I felt it was time to focus on raising the bar, setting my sights a little higher.

  As difficult as it is to rebuild a shoulder, building a great team is a tougher task. Creating a championship team is even more challenging. To explain how we rose to the top, I have to go back to 2006 and revisit some decisions that were made about me and the other players on the team.

  New Orleans certainly had other options for quarterback in 20
06. There were other healthy free agents they could have chosen, or they could have stayed the course with Aaron Brooks, their quarterback at the time. They could have drafted Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart from USC, or if Leinart wasn’t available, they could have picked Vince Young or Jay Cutler. They knew there were no guarantees that I would be able to rehab and make a complete comeback. But despite the odds stacked against me, New Orleans believed in me. I responded to their belief, and it propelled me to exceed all expectations.

  Some people still ask me what would have happened if I had gone to Miami instead, but I don’t like to spend time looking back. Because of the way things worked out after the injury, I had the chance to come to New Orleans and make a difference. I believe that was part of God’s plan, and I embraced it with all my heart.

  There were other hard decisions the Saints had to make. When Sean Payton got to New Orleans, he knew they had to start over and build the organization up the right way. He convinced the owner, Tom Benson, and the general manager, Mickey Loomis, that the team really needed to bring in guys who would help them build a new foundation and a new core. Together they worked at changing the attitude and culture of the team by bringing in hardworking players who were committed and willing to fight through whatever challenges came their way.

  Building a championship team is not an overnight process. It’s not all that different from the reconstruction after Katrina. You have to go through some pain and tearing down before you can get to work on the rebuilding process. Coach Payton knew he had to make some tough decisions about the type of players we didn’t want for the year ahead. The guys from the 2005 season had lived on the road, away from their families for long stretches. They practiced at high schools, stayed in different hotels and apartments, and had no place to call home. It’s easy to lose direction and stray from the course when you don’t have a solid foundation of home and family. These tense conditions caused a great deal of division among the team, and I have heard players refer to this frustration as “Katrina anger.” Unfortunately, that anger brought out the worst in some guys. It became obvious that there were certain attitudes and personalities from the previous season that didn’t fit with the vision they were trying to build. Those players would not be there next year.