Dear Drew Brees

Dear Drew:

I’ve meant to write to you for a while. I’m afraid the world is trying to mislead you and we can’t have that.  Some people are telling you that you are old and that it’s time to hang it up. Others whisper in your ear that you’re just a kid; that you are only as old as you feel. Trust me they are all lying to you. Listen to me. Half of those folks just want you to keep playing football (the most fashionable thing in their closet is black with gold trim with a big “9” right dab in the middle) and the other half are Falcon fans. 

Let’s stick to the facts. You don’t remember this, but you were born on January 15, 1979. Next year you will be forty. For most, the 40th birthday is a “celebration” of being “over the hill.”  According to my friends over at Google, life expectancy for women is 81 years and for men, 76 years. (that’s about right.) For men, the half-way point is 38. You went “over the hill” a couple of birthdays ago. You should be on a sharp decline. If you are, you sure fooling me. 

Sure all the exercise and energy may help slow your fall; but on the other hand years of getting sacked, battered and bruised doesn’t help. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not trying to help you decide if it’s time to quit quarterbacking. As far as I’m concerned you should play until your throwing arm falls off and it can no longer be reattached. (Okay there is a Brees Jersey in my closet, too. ) I’m just trying to give you life advice.

About the time you turn 40, I’ll be 70. The top of that hill you just topped, is hardly visible in my rear view mirror. I have thirty years more experience than you. Here’s my advice:

Keep doing what you’re doing until it isn’t fun anymore.

Okay, so you are probably smart enough to have figured that out. You’ve said you want to play until you’re 45. If it’s still fun then, don’t stop. But if you wake up on Super Bowl Sunday, and the Saints are where they should be, but the thought of going out on that field brings even a slight twinge of doubt, PLAY THE DAMN game. See if the fun doesn’t come back. It’s the Superbowl, fool. Being philosophical can wait until the offseason.

My most important piece of advice needs to be followed now.

Plan now how to have fun when what’s been fun isn’t fun any more. 

Hope it works out for you and no matter what buddy, thanks for the memories. You’ve done it the classy way and that never grows old. 

Your friend, who you don’t know from Adam,

Nick