For 20 years , Drew Brees flung the pigskin around NFL stadiums , amassing nearly 46 miles . This future Hall of Famer holds so many pro football records that the list would stretch the length of a downfield pass to one of his , if not his favorite , New Orleans Saints wide receivers , Marques Colston .
But , to toss you a few of his most impressive accomplishments , here they are : 80,358 total passing yards — Brees was the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 80,000 yards , only to be eclipsed by the legendary Tom Brady this past NFL season . Brees passed for 4,000 + yards in 12 consecutive seasons , the longest streak in league history . He was also the first signal-caller with more than 7,000 completions ( 7,142 ) and tallied 571 passing touchdowns in his career , with perhaps the one record that may never be broken — 54 straight games with at least one TD pass .
For all that Brees has accomplished on the field , finding that competitive outlet to spur those athletic juices off the gridiron may very well now come in the shape of the 20 ’ x 44 ’ pickleball court .
Recently , he joined the ownership group of the Mad Drops Pickleball Club of Major League Pickleball , a new upstart league that features 12 teams and has already attracted some of the top names in this ever-popular sport . JW Johnson , knocking on the heels of top-ranked men ’ s player Ben Johns , plays for the Florida Smash , Irina Tereschenko plays for Team BLQK , Wesley Gabrielson is a member of The Jackrabbits and Simone Jardim , an iconic figure on the women ’ s side , is on the 5S .
For Brees , MVP of Super Bowl XLIV , life away from football needed a sport where he didn ’ t have to worry about 300-pound defensive linemen trying to take his head off . “ I am an avid pickleball player , fan and student of the game ,” says Brees , who started his NFL career with the Chargers in 2001 after a stellar collegiate showing at Purdue . “ The opportunity to be a part of the ownership group of the Mad Drops PC is something I ’ m extremely excited about , and I look forward to helping raise awareness around the incredible players and competitions in Major League Pickleball , helping grow the sport of pickleball and fostering overall fan engagement .”
Drew Brees with MLP founder Steve Kuhn .
PHOTO COURTESY MLP
As pickleball continues to evolve across the sports landscape , Major League Pickleball ( MLP ) is ratcheting up the game in an innovative and eye-catching experience for players and fans alike . With a team-based , co-ed format and inventive rules that highlight athletes ’ and fans ’ passion for the game , MLP ’ s goal is to elevate and grow the sport in everything it does .
“ We are thrilled to welcome such a strong group of strategic investors and partners into the MLP family ,” says founder Steve Kuhn . “ MLP is the preeminent and most exciting brand in all of pickleball . The talented and passionate Mad Drops PC ownership group will further elevate our competition and athletes , which contributes to our goal of growing the game of pickleball into the world ’ s most exciting spectator sport .”
Aside from Drew Brees , another recognizable name on the MLP ownership front is former pro tennis player James Blake . A winner of 10 singles titles during his 14- year career , and reaching the quarterfinals at the 2005 and 2006 US Opens and 2008 Australian Open , Blake ’ s world ranking was as high as fourth in 2006 . Later , in 2008 , he was awarded another honor by the ATP :
Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year . Blake also helped Team USA win the Davis Cup in 2007 .
“ I decided to invest in Major League Pickleball because I see the growth of the sport is incredible . I picked it up and learned it from my mom ,” says Blake , who is coowner of the Lions of MLP . “ I see that excitement and I know it ’ s going to spill over into the pro game and the viewership , and I see the excitement with other owners and other investors . It ’ s a passion for so many people and
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 | MAGAZINE 41