Drew Brees passed Fran Tarkenton in career passing yards on Monday Night Football to become the sixth best passer ever.
Drew Bres still has a long mountain to climb before he passes Brett Favre for the most passing yards of all time. Brett Favre’s monster record sits at 71,838 yards. Dan Marino, the great Miami Dolphin, is a distant second with 61,361 yards.
The only active player with more passing yards than Drew Brees is Peyton Manning, who has 60,957.
Fran Tarkenton, a career Minnesota Viking , finished his career at 47,003 yards. Brees easily passed that number in the first quarter of the Saints Monday night matchup against the Dolphins.
The accomplishment is huge, especially considering Brees had injury issues early in his career, putting his longevity into doubt. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, an broke out in 2004, throwing 27 touchdowns against 7 interceptions.
In 2005 Drew Brees tore his labrum, the same shoulder injury Mark Sanchez has right now. The Chargers had Phillip Rivers sitting in wait, and decided to offer Brees a heavily incentive based contract with low base pay.
Brees walked, and was briefly courted by the Miami Dolphins , who ended up not being comfortable with his health. The New Orleans Saints took a chance on Brees, and the Dolphins are probably kicking themselves right now.
Congrats to Drew Brees, now 6th on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list. Some pretty impressive company -> pic.twitter.com/Vq21Ghxi4T
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 1, 2013
Things are looking up in Miami now, though. Ryan Tannehill is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league, and should help Miami challenge New England for best team in the AFC East this season.
Monday Night Football matched Drew Brees up against the previously mentioned Miami Dolphins in a battle of undefeated teams, and what followed did not disappoint.
[image via Wikimedia Commons ]
