Ever since Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans prior to the 2006 NFL season, he has been the best athlete and person the city could ever ask for. In many ways, he is the perfect role model in the Big Easy, and all of the team wins and individual records are just icing on the cake and only add to his Pro Football Hall of Fame resume.
A few years after Hurricane Katrina damaged the city, the 6-foot Brees brought back hope and a Super Bowl XLIV title to New Orleans. Now, the 40-year-old superstar quarterback has become the voice of reason for the entire Saints fan base hurting after the NFC Championship game loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
By now, everyone knows what happened. A non-call for pass interference late in the fourth quarter was one of the NFL's biggest officiating blunders ever, and the New Orleans Saints will be watching Super Bowl LIII from home instead of playing the New England Patriots next Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
However, a single loss is not going to bring Brees down, and he encouraged Who Dat Nation to follow his lead once again in an uplifting Instagram post early Monday morning.
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It seriously doesn't get much better than this from the 12-time NFL Pro Bowl selection.
"I've spent this last week navigating the heartache and disappointment from the game. Some things within our control and some outside our control that caused us to fall short. So much of our motivation is to represent the Who Dat Nation with determination and resiliency. We want to play for you, fight for you, and win for you. You deserve that.
"The longer I play I realize that we truly are one heartbeat with our fans. Our success is your success. Our disappointment is your disappointment. We are inspired by one another to accomplish things far greater than what we could ever do on our own.
"Everything that has ever happened to this community, we have bonded together, galvanized and leaped forward every time.
"The frustration we feel now can be channeled in the same way. Pour that passion and emotion into your families and communities. Inspire others with your focus & determination and positive outlook. This will make us stronger, this will bond us tighter, this will be a source for our success in the future.
"There is no place like New Orleans. There is no community like ours. No fans like the Who Dat Nation. I refuse to let this hold us down. I refuse to let this create any negativity or resentment. I embrace the challenge.
"So keep your chin up, hold your head high, puff your chest out because WE are the Who Dat Nation and WE will always persevere."
— New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees
Perhaps it is time for Saints fans to let it go. The lawsuits and extra griping can only do so much at this point. There is no going back. The loss at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, as painful as it might still be, is history.
Drew Brees understands it and encouraged everyone to move forward in an emotional letter on social media. He is the hero New Orleans needs.
