541 touchdowns. Record books rewritten. In Drew Brees’ 273rd career start, he dethroned Peyton Manning as the NFL’s leading touchdown passer.
Brees is one of the best quarterbacks to ever step on the gridiron, and he further etched himself in football history. Entering Monday night, Brees had 537 touchdowns, sitting 3rd on the leaderboard, behind Brady (538), and Manning (539).
Brees’ first TD pass of the historic night came on a 15-yard bullet to the one of the league’s elite receivers, Michael Thomas. This came on New Orleans’ second drive of the game, with 12:43 left in the second quarter, tying Brady’s TD count. The quarterback fired his second touchdown of the night, passing Brady and tying Manning’s record, on a 21-yard strike to sophomore receiver Tre’Quan Smith. As halftime approached in the MNF matchup, Brees marched his Saints down the field. With New Orleans in the red zone after a 10 play, 80 yard drive, Brees found Tre’Quan Smith again for the record breaking touchdown.
Or so he thought.
After officials threw a questionable offensive pass-interference flag on Saints’ wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith, the historic touchdown was negated. New Orleans settled for a field goal, going up 20-0 against the Indianapolis Colts, and history was put on hold. However, the gunslinger didn’t waste much time to officially take the record.
In the presence of his wife, Brittany, and his kids Rylen, Bowen, Baylen, and Callen, Drew Brees threw his 540th touchdown. Following a 12 play, 7 minute 52 second drive, Brees found Josh Hill on a 5-yard play-action pass in the back of the end-zone.
Drew Brees finished the night with a near perfect 29/30 with 307 yards and 4 touchdowns. Not only did Brees set the record for most touchdown passes in NFL history, but also set the mark for highest completion percentage in a game, completing 96.7% of his passes in his MNF matchup against the colts.
Brees holds the all-time passing touchdown record for now, but possibly not for good. With New England’s Tom Brady in a close second among active players, it will be very interesting to see how this race will play out.
(P/C: SI)
