CANTON, OH – Despite a shoulder injury that nearly ended his career and famously put him on the path to becoming a New Orleans Saint, Drew Brees could sling the pigskin all over the field during his career as an NFL quarterback, like a point guard on the basketball court.
Brees, a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 who will be inducted Saturday, Aug. 8, was dishing out something else Friday morning here – chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries and Texas toast.
Along with the perspective that comes with being a Super Bowl champion with the Saints, Walter Payton Man of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year.
Brees' indoctrination began Thursday night with a toast from the current and future Hall of Famers in the gallery where a bronze bust of each
player voted in rests.
"When you're getting toasted by Willie Lanier and Mean Joe Greene, and you're clinking glasses with Lawrence Taylor, it starts to sink in a little bit, that 'Wow, this is pretty unique,'" Brees told USA TODAY Sports.
He expected the annual Friday afternoon luncheon – for gold jackets only – to have a "profound" effect, especially since the incoming inductees remain silent while a microphone is passed around the room.
Some of Brees' itinerary has been kept secret, he said, to preserve a surprise factor throughout the weekend-long celebration.
Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri – the Class of 2026 – walked the 50-yard line as players from both teams in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game, the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, surrounded them on either side.
"Just having all the fans in the stands, you get the energy in the stadium, obviously the start of the 2026 season here ... but honestly, just being there with my class of guys, the more time we spend together, the more bonded we feel," Brees said. "To be part of this elite club is pretty special."
Baylen Brees, Drew's son who became famous two decades ago as a baby for wearing hearing protection amid the Super Bowl celebration, made a cameo during his father's interview on NBC during the game Thursday night. Having his four children around as his career wound down is something that made his twilight years special, Brees said.
"They were starting to realize what Dad did and come to the facility with me on certain days, go steal gloves out of Mike Thomas' locker, jump in the cold tub and the whirlpool with me and everything," Brees said. "Those were some cool moments."
With an especially "cool" one loading.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drew Brees' HOF induction started 'to sink in' with this special moment | Exclusive
