Drew Brees Sets the All-Time NFL Passing Yard Record

kiley lopez via Flickr

NFL

Drew Brees Sets the Record for Most NFL Passing Yards of All Time

During tonight’s game between the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins, Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke the NFL all-time passing yardage record. Brees passed both Brett Farve and Peyton Manning in the first half of tonight’s contest with 250 yards. With 2:46 seconds left in the second quarter, Brees unleashed a 62-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Tre’Quan Smith, giving him the passing record. Brees would end the night with 363 passing yards, bringing his career total in passing yards to 72,103. Brees is sure to continue raising that number – and the bar for quarterbacks seeking the record – as his ever-impressive career moves forward.

Not only was this a very emotional moment for Drew Brees, but you could tell how much this record meant to his teammates and the Saints fans. Brees was mobbed on the field by all of his teammates before finding his family on the sideline and sharing a special and unforgettable moment.

Praise From His Peers

After Brees set the record tonight, many NFL stars reached out to congratulate him on social media. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sent Brees a heartfelt congratulations, seen below:

Another legendary quarterback to offer his praise of Brees was future-Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Favre ranked second in career passing yards, a mark which was passed earlier in the night by Brees.

Of course, no congratulatory message was better than the one offered by the man who held the record before tonight: Peyton Manning. Manning, known for his comedic behavior, left Brees a message fit for the occasion.

What’s Next For Brees?

With Drew Brees continuing to be an elite-level quarterback, we can only assume he will continue to break records. The most notable record left for Drew Brees to break is that of the all-time passing touchdown leader. After tonight’s contest, Brees has 499 career passing touchdowns, the fourth-most of all time. Although it would take a lot for Brees to break that record this season, it is easy to see him overcoming Brett Farve for second on this list, who retired with 508 career passing touchdowns. Peyton Manning currently holds this record with 539 career passing touchdowns, giving Brees one last number to aim for. No matter where Brees ends up in the record books, though, he will surely go down as one of the greatest football players in history.

Photo Credit: kiley lopez via Flickr

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