Drew Brees to join NBC Sports as NFL, Notre Dame analyst

March 15 (UPI) — Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has joined NBC Sports and will work as an NFL and Notre Dame football analyst, the retired star said Monday.

Brees announced his move into the broadcast booth during an appearance Monday on NBC’s Today. The 20-year NFL veteran said Sunday that he was retiring from pro football.

“I am going to be working for NBC,” Brees said on the NBC program. “I’m part of the team now, a new team. I’m excited about that journey and excited to stay very closely connected with the game of football.

“It has been such an important part of my life. I’ll continue to talk about it and show a passion for it.”

“I’m going to be working for NBC.” -@drewbrees announces his next chapter after his legendary NFL career pic.twitter.com/LP3FgdRJBL— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 15, 2021

Brees also said he plans to continue philanthropic endeavors. He and wife Brittany established the Brees Dream Foundation in 2003 and it has since contributed more than $45 million to cancer patients and provide care for families in need.

“I am most excited about those things because I think that’s where we can make the biggest impact,” Brees added. “There is still so much need in this country and in this city. I’m excited we have the opportunity to be involved in those things.”

Brees will work on NBC Sports’ Super Bowl and Olympics broadcasts, will be a studio analyst for its Football Night in America and a game analyst for NBC’s Notre Dame football coverage.

“We’re excited to have Drew join our team,” NBC Sports Group Chairman Pete Bevacqua said in a statement.

“We know that Drew will apply the same work ethic and continuously positive attitude to everything he touches at NBC Sports and we know, as his new teammates, he’ll make us better.”

Brees, 42, ranks first in NFL history with 80,358 total passing yards over his career with the San Diego Chargers (2001-2005) and New Orleans Saints (2006-2020). His 571 career touchdown passes trail only Tom Brady on the all-time list.

Brees, who played collegiate football at Purdue University in Indiana, led the Saints to their only NFL championship in Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, was named Super Bowl MVP, won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2011 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 13 of his 20 NFL seasons.