Texas had ridden out storms before naturally, and otherwise. But this summer’s devastation has left behind more than watermarks and headlines on the newspaper page. It’s carved out sorrow, the kind that hums softly at the back of life. And though Drew Brees is a world away from the din of crowds and the huddle calls, his heart has remained behind in communities in turmoil. A soldier who had once addressed his men at the most vital moments of the game now sat on the brink of another battle, watching, grieving, and waiting for the right moment to say a few words.

When nature becomes merciless, even the largest hearts get hurt. “Pray for Texas,” Drew Brees posted somberly on Instagram, voicing the grief of a state devastated again with the fury of nature. The recent tragedy resulting from the flood that devastated large portions of Texas left its legacy, killing young children, camp counselors, and Texans. Brees, accustomed to national moments of catharsis, is now a representative of a broken society. This time, however, he is mobilizing support not with touchdowns or record books, but with a simple cry of compassion.

The Saints legend gave a heartfelt statement, grieving the loss of life in the Texas floods deeply. ”My heart breaks for the families of all the little girls, counselors, and community members in Texas who have passed in the recent flooding,” Brees said. ”Every day I see images and hear stories that are absolutely gut wrenching, but also stories of heroism for those who are doing so much to help.” Allowing the strength of his words to do the talking. 

For those familiar with Brees from his playing career, this reaction is unsurprising. The Super Bowl XLIV champion long has utilized his platform to highlight issues bigger than football. Whether relief for Hurricane Katrina, for COVID-19 (giving away $5M), or an effort to close the education disparities, Brees always set the pace. Even after retiring from the playing field, his affinity with the communities he touched most notably never faltered. 

After Drew Brees, the NFL came up for a commitment!

Drew Brees now calls upon prayer; however, his legacy is comprised of subtle acts that did more than speak as loudly as any. One was 2021, not by way of a press conference or front-page story, but through a subdued salary adjustment to the benefit of the New Orleans Saints years after he had retired. In the offseason of his retirement, Drew Brees agreed to reduce his salary to the league minimum of $1.075 million from his negotiated figure of $25 million. This was not a front-office gift or signing bonus.

It was a savvy move to help the Saints pinch salary cap space in a tumultuous fiscal year. That small contract adjustment allowed the Saints to prorate the “dead money“. The remaining portion of his deal over two years, rather than absorbing the full hit in one season. It also created cap room for the team to sign crucial players, rework other contracts, and keep up with competitors. And once again, this time, Brees is standing up for the Texans. But he isn’t alone in this fight.

As Texas is reeling from the heartbreaking Hill Country floods that took 70 lives, including 21 innocent kids, the NFL came up to help the victims. The tragedy hit Camp Mystic the hardest, a girls’ summer camp where many of the children were fast asleep when the water came crashing in after Tropical Storm Barry passed through. As rescuers continue working around the clock, using DNA to identify victims, entire neighborhoods have been torn apart. In the middle of this grief, the spotlight turned to the state’s biggest football teams, the Cowboys, Texans, and the NFL Foundation, who pledged $1.5 million toward relief.

But instead of gratitude, that donation sparked anger. Fans feel it was too little and came off more like a PR move than real compassion. Nevertheless, calls for better warning systems are growing louder across Central Texas, as families mourn and search for answers. Prayers are up for the state!