In early 2006, quarterback Drew Brees had shoulder surgery that prevented the Dolphins from offering him a contract, but the Saints couldn’t block it.
Eighteen years later, Brees was inducted into the Saints’ Hall of Fame.
His arrival and that of coach Sean Payton laid the foundation for the city’s recovery after the hurricanes devastated the region, and coming off a raucous Monday night win over the Falcons in the team’s first home game of the regular season, it was clear things had changed for the long-struggling franchise.
Three years later, the Saints won the Super Bowl.
The Saints never made it to the Super Bowl again, but Payton and Brees kept them in contention for the championship more often than not, and Brees had the kind of career that earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first try.
Brees entered the NFL in 2001 as the No. 1 pick in the second round by the Chargers after the franchise traded their No. 1 overall pick (and the rights to Michael Vick) to the Falcons. Brees eventually became a starter, but the Chargers decided to replace him with Philip Rivers.
Brees injured his shoulder in his last game against the Chargers, which ended up scaring the Dolphins and giving the Saints a chance.
And so, a bruised quarterback and a bruised city bounced back together, leading a team that had only ever won in the playoffs before his arrival to heights many expected it would reach.
