Drew Brees named Sports Illustrated sportsman of the year

Drew Brees has been named Sports Illustrated magazine’s Sportsman of the Year for 2010. Brees — who led the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl title last February — came to New Orleans in 2006, the year after the hurricane.

“It’s an unbelievable honor, for everything that it stands for,” Brees said of the Sports Illustrated award.

“And it just makes me reflect back on the last five years in New Orleans, and the teams that I’ve had the opportunity to play for. And it’s just been a special, special journey.

“I needed New Orleans so badly back in 2006, just somebody to believe in me, somebody to care about me.

“And that’s why myself and my wife Brittany, we just tried to throw ourselves into the community, to do our part.”

Brees — who’s the 57th person to receive the Sportsman of the Year award — raises two sons with wife Brittany.

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