Quarterback Drew Brees has been named the recipient of Sports Illustrated’s 57th Sportsman of the Year award. Drew’s notoriety comes not only from winning Super Bowl XLIV, but also from giving back hope and pride to the city of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s an unbelievable honor, for everything that it stands for,” Brees said of the Sports Illustrated award Tuesday morning on NBC’s Today show. “And it just makes me reflect back on the last five years in New Orleans, and the teams that I’ve had the opportunity to play for. And it’s just been a special, special journey.”

“I needed New Orleans so badly back in 2006, just somebody to believe in me, somebody to care about me,” he said. “And that’s why myself and my wife Brittany, we just tried to throw ourselves into the community, to do our part.”

Who can forget the image of Brees carrying his one-year old son, Baylen, onto the field after winning Super Bowl XLIV, restoring pride back to the city that so much believed in him. ... Read More