Drews Brees' first regular season game with New Orleans Saints came on September 10, 2006.
In that game, Brees led the Saints to a 19-14 win over the Cleveland Browns, throwing a touchdown in the win. Now, 20 years to the day later, Brees watched on from the sideline as his oldest son Braylen Brees threw the first touchdown pass of his high school career in the family's return to New Orleans.
Baylen, a senior receiver for Santa Fe Christian (CA), used his arm instead of his legs to tie the game at seven against Newman (LA) Thursday night. Baylen took the ball on a jet pass as he went right and instead of cutting up the field, threw the touchdown pass against his former youth league teammates at Newman.
Later in the game, Baylen would also haul
in a touchdown reception off of a tipped pass for his first touchdown reception of the year.
Drew is the passing game coordinator for Sante Fe Christian, where three of his kids play. When Brees and his family lived in New Orleans, his children attended Newman and played youth football there.
On Wednesday ahead of the game, Brees posted a video to his Instagram account talking about his excitement for returning to the area and getting to see his sons play against some of their old friends.
“Excited to watch the SFC Eagles take on Newman High School in New Orleans tomorrow night,” Brees said in the post. “There will be at least six boys from these pictures on the field that night on both sides. So many incredible memories coaching them through their early years. Love how Football builds character and strengthens & develops relationships.”
A legend in New Orleans, Drew spent 15 of his 20 seasons in the NFL playing for the Saints. On February 7, 2010, he led New Orleans to its first Super Bowl win, beating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.
Shots of Drew holding Baylen as confetti fell after the Super Bowl win became an iconic image after the game.
He retired from the NFL after the 2020 season, finishing his career with 7,142 completions 80,358 yards and 571 touchdowns. Drew was named Santa Fe's passing game coordinator ahead of the 2026 season and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in August.
Baylen is coming off of a junior season that saw him catch 14 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Entering Thursday night's game, he had five receptions for 25 yards on the season.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baylen Brees, son of Drew Brees, throws TD pass in New Orleans return
