Drew Brees Early Life and Family Background
Drew Brees was born on January 15, 1979 in Dallas, Texas to parents Eugene Wilson “Chip” Brees II and Mina Ruth Akins. His father played basketball for Texas A&M University, while his mother was an all-state basketball player in high school.
Brees comes from an athletic lineage. His grandfather, Ray Akins, played basketball for Baylor University while his uncle, Marty Akins, was a starting quarterback for the University of Texas from 1975-1978.
Early Interests and Activities
From an early age, Brees showed great interest and promise in sports. He started playing flag football at age 5, basketball at age 6, and baseball at age 7.
By age 8, Brees was playing organized tackle football in the Westlake Youth Football Association. In addition to excelling at football, he also:
- Played select/travel baseball teams from ages 8-17
- Won two Texas state championships in little league baseball
- Played competitive basketball from ages 9-13
At age 10 while on spring break, Brees randomly told his mother, “Mom, I’m going to play in the NFL someday.” This marked one of the first clear indications of his aspirations to play professional football.
Key Takeaways
- Excellent hand-eye coordination and motor skills from young age
- Multi-sport athlete throughout childhood (football, baseball, basketball)
- Strong family lineage of college and professional athletes
- Demonstrated drive and ambition from young age
Table 1. Youth sports participation
| Sport | Age Started | Accomplishments |
|---|---|---|
| Flag Football | 5 | N/A |
| Basketball | 6 | N/A |
| Baseball | 7 | 2x Texas Little League State Champion |
| Tackle Football | 8 | N/A |
Influences from Family
As an athletic family, the Brees household was very sports-oriented. Drew’s father Chip coached his baseball and football teams until middle school. His younger brothers Reid and Coy also played multiple sports growing up.
Chip Brees prioritized teaching Drew proper throwing mechanics and footwork, skills that would prove crucial later in his NFL career. “Having an athlete for a dad and a coach — that will make you better,” Brees reflected.
Meanwhile, his mother Mina Ruth attended all of Drew’s games and served as a steady emotional support system. She even kept every ticket from Drew’s baseball games in her 1979 diary. Their encouragement and support nurtured Drew’s early athletics career.
High School Career
Brees attended Westlake High School in Austin, Texas from 1993-1996. He excelled in both football and baseball, earning varsity letters in his freshmen year for both sports — a rare accomplishment. His success continued throughout his high school career.
Football Accolades
As Westlake’s starting varsity quarterback, Brees helped guide his team to a 16-0 record and the 5A State Championship in 1996.
Some key football honors include:
- 2x All-State Academic Team (1995-1996)
- Texas 5A Most Valuable Offensive Player (1996)
- All-District C-USA First Team (1994, 1996)
- All-America First Team (1996)
- Maxwell National High School Player of the Year (1996)
Table 2. Notable high school football statistics
| Year | Completion % | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Rushing Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophomore | 55% | 2,900 | 31 | 384 | 34 |
| Junior | 61% | 3,528 | 34 | 428 | 38 |
| Senior* | 68% | 3,048 | 31 | 741 | 34 |
* 5A State Championship winning team with 16-0 record
Baseball Success
In addition to football glory, Brees also made his mark on Westlake’s baseball program. An outfielder and star hitter, he batted .461 over his final two seasons and helped guide Westlake to an appearance in the 5A State Semifinals. His senior year honors included:
- All-District Second Team
- All-City First Team
- All Centex Second Team
Juggling football and baseball instilled discipline and exemplified Brees’ all-around athletic talents. Many believed he could have played professional baseball as well. But by the end of high school, his passion for football won out.
Recruiting and College Decision
Following his tremendously successful high school sports career, Brees drew interest from numerous colleges and universities.
While schools like Stanford and Dartmouth offered strong academics, Brees prioritized finding a program that would best develop him into an NFL quarterback. With that goal in mind, his final two schools came down to Texas and Purdue.
Why Brees Chose Purdue
In the end, Brees selected Purdue University mainly based on two key factors:
1. Immediate Playing Opportunity
Purdue coaches said Brees would have a chance to start as a freshman, whereas Texas could not guarantee anything beyond a roster spot.
2. System Fit
Purdue ran a complex passing system under Head Coach Joe Tiller, allowing Brees an opportunity to challenge himself.
Brees also appreciated Tiller’s offensive creativity and strong track record producing NFL quarterbacks. Ultimately, the combination of early playing time and a chance to master a pro-style offense swayed his college decision.
Table 3. College recruiting rankings
| Site | National Rank | Rating* |
|---|---|---|
| Rivals | 39 | 5.9 |
| ESPN | N/A | 78 |
*Ratings scale: 5 stars = highest, 2 or 1 stars = lowest
While not overly highly-rated, Brees chose the school that he felt would best help him reach his goal of playing quarterback in the NFL. This ability to tune out critics and focus on his development foreshadowed the mindset that later fueled his path to all-time greatness.
College Career
Over four years as Purdue’s starting quarterback from 1997-2000, Brees helped revive a struggling Boilermakers program and re-write both school and Big Ten record books.
Key Team & Individual Accolades
- Led Purdue to 1st Rose Bowl appearance in 34 years (2000)
- 2x Heisman Trophy finalist (1999 & 2000) — Only Big Ten player with multiple top-4 finishes
- 2x Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1998 & 2000)
- Academic All-American (2000)
- 5th in Heisman voting as junior, despite injury missing 5 games
- Set 30+ Purdue passing records
Table 4. Key Purdue passing statistics
| Statistic | Total | NCAA Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 1,026 | 5th All-Time |
| Pass Attempts | 1,678 | 6th All-Time |
| Pass Yards | 11,792 | 6th All-Time |
| Completion % | 61.1% | N/A |
| Passing TDs | 90 | 8th All-Time |
Memorable Performances
One of Brees’ most iconic college moments came in a come-from-behind upset victory over Michigan in 1999:
- Scored last 28 points, all in fourth quarter
- Converted final 3 drives into touchdowns
- Threw for 293 yards in fourth quarter alone
- Defeating #4 ranked Wolverines marked Purdue’s first win over a top-5 team in over 30 years
His defensive coordinator called the performance “the single greatest effort I have ever seen on a football field, because one man was practically carrying the whole team.” This remarkable comeback foreshadowed Brees’ ability to deliver under pressure throughout his career.
Rankings by Draft Experts
Despite his record-breaking college statistics, Brees’ relatively small size for an NFL quarterback caused his draft stock to remain uncertain heading into the 2001 NFL Draft.
Table 5. Notable expert draft rankings for Drew Brees
| Draft Expert | Position Ranking | Overall Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Mel Kiper, Jr. | 2nd QB | 26th Overall |
| Todd McShay | 3rd QB | Late 1st/Early 2nd Round |
| NFL Draft Scout | 3rd QB | 36th Overall |
Common Draft Concerns & Counterarguments
The two biggest knocks on Brees often came down to his height and hand size:
Concern: At just over 6’0″, Brees was considered small for an NFL QB standard. Scouts worried whether he had the size to handle NFL pocket pressure.
Counterpoint: While a valid concern, Brees helped alleviate doubts through his mobility and ability to adapt throwing angles to create passing lanes. His stellar awareness and quick release also compensated for any height disadvantage.
Concern: Brees’ small 9″ hand measurement threatened his ability to securely grip the football, especially in cold or rainy conditions.
Counterpoint: This ultimately proved overblown, as Brees has handled wet weather just fine as a professional. Maintaining complete control of the ball has never been an issue throughout his 17-year career.
Drafted by the San Diego Chargers
Brees overcame pre-draft size perceptions when the San Diego Chargers selected him with 32nd overall pick in 2nd round of 2001 NFL Draft.
While six quarterbacks went in 1st round, the Chargers traded up to grab Brees at top of 2nd, making him 61st quarterback drafted since 1980. General Manager John Butler was widely praised for the selection.
Conclusion
In tracing Drew Brees’ journey from Texas little league standout to NFL first round draft pick, recurring themes emerge around his tireless work ethic, competitive spirit, and exceptional leadership qualities.
Despite lacking prototypical size for an NFL quarterback, Brees’ natural athletic gifts combined with his nurturing sports family environment allowed him to excel at every level — first as a multi-sport star at Westlake High School, then while shattering Big Ten records at Purdue, and finally upon entering the professional ranks with San Diego.
While Brees has continued building an iconic NFL career since that fateful 2001 Draft day, the roots of his unprecedented success trace back to a childhood filled with valuable lessons and experiences on and off playing fields all across Texas. This molded his growth into both a gridiron legend as well as consummate role model for young athletes everywhere.
Key Highlights and Takeaways
He was a gifted multi-sport athlete from the start
Dominated little league baseball and youth football leagues, foreshadowing his athletic dexterity
Sports lineage set solid foundation
Father Chip was high school & college standout who coached Drew early on
Mother Ruth attended every game as #1 fan & emotional rock
Chose Purdue specifically for “pro-ready” system
Felt their complex passing offense run by Coach Tiller would best prepare him for NFL
Became one of most productive QBs in NCAA history
Broke dozens of Big Ten records and led Purdue back to national prominence
Size concerns hurt draft stock, despite gaudy stats
Listed at 6’0″, critics worried if he could handle NFL punishment
But Chargers GM John Butler shrewdly traded up to grab him 32nd overall
Takeaway: Perseverance through early doubts to maximize talent
Skills and leadership paved way for legendary career that continues today
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports did Drew Brees play growing up?
Brees played a variety of sports growing up, including flag football (age 5), basketball (6), baseball (7), and tackle football (8). He focused primarily on football and baseball through high school.
How athletic was Drew Brees’ family?
Very athletic lineage. Father Chip played college basketball while mother Ruth and uncle Marty played college football. His grandfather and uncle also played college basketball.
Was Drew Brees a 5-star football recruit?
No, most recruiting services ranked Brees as a 3 or 4-star recruit coming out of high school. He was rated as high as the #39 national recruit by Rivals in 1996.
What made Drew Brees decide to attend Purdue?
Mainly the opportunity to start as a freshman and Purdue’s complex, pro-style passing offense under coach Joe Tiller. This system fit helped prepare him for the NFL.
Why did draft experts underrate Brees entering NFL draft?
Mainly due to concerns over his relatively small size for a QB at 6’0″. Scouts worried whether he could handle interior pressure. His 9-inch hand measurement also faced scrutiny.