With more than $160 million in NFL earnings, a Super Bowl MVP award, and 80,358 career passing yards, second only to Tom Brady, Drew Brees retired in 2021. However, the former Saints icon did not fade into analyst oblivion. Before switching to business and investing in Stretch Zone, Surge Adventure Parks, and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, he briefly worked as a broadcaster for NBC. But you can lead the NFL in passing yards seven times, you can win a Super Bowl while also building a restaurant empire and raising millions for charity. But, still, you need to request an invitation to Barstool Golf.

Because they just turned up the volume on the internet. According to Fore Play Golf, they are going to organize ‘the greatest golf tournament the internet has ever seen,’ the $1 million ‘Internet Invitational’ is expected to go viral more than a Rory McIlroy club throw. The event, which is set for August 12–16, 2025, at Big Cedar Lodge, promises to be a wild mix of professionals, influencers, and digital cult legends who are all vying for money and influence.

While the invite list is growing like Dave Portnoy’s pizza empire, Drew Brees, a retired NFL legend with a Super Bowl ring and $160 million to his name, is not happy. Brees woke up to the reality this week when he was excluded from the Internet Invitational. As Fore Play Golf’s post went viral on Instagram, Brees reposted it on his story and sent a cheeky but loaded message to Dave Portnoy, the kingpin of Barstool: “@stoolpresidente, can I get an invite or what!!!”

And this request doesn’t come out of the blue. Off the field, Drew Brees has established himself as a regular on the golf circuit, participating in prestigious competitions, including the Invited Celebrity Classic and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he most recently placed T6 with former Major League Baseball star Mark Mulder. His handicap? Reportedly, a +0.6 means Brees isn’t simply playing golf; he’s contending like it’s still Sunday in the Superdome.

So this was just a straight-up quarterback-to-commissioner invite request. Not some washed-up jock hoping for a big cameo. We are talking about a Super Bowl MVP and a 13-time Pro Bowler with a net worth of $160 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth).

However, while Brees is busy pursuing golf invitations, a fresh No.9 is trying to build his chapter without touching the sacred numbers.

While Drew Brees is eyeing Golf, Tyler Shough is eyeing his place in football

Drafted with the 40th overall pick in 2025. Tyler Shough, the Saints’ shiny new quarterback, is already doing the little things right: avoiding fast food restaurants for Drago’s Seafood, being humble around the locals, and—above all—showing respect for the Saints’ quarterback heritage.

Shough said in response to a question about what number he would wear. “I’m not going to wear Archie or Drew’s number, no way. Those guys are legends.” Instead, he’s eyeing No. 6 or No. 18, noting that “six is three less than nine” and “eighteen is nine plus nine.” Mathematically quirky, sure—but symbolically respectful.

But this is where things start to give an old-time vibe. Drago’s was the same restaurant where Brees and Shough enjoyed their first dinner in New Orleans. Tommy Cvitanovich, the owner of Drago, and Saints supporters are accepting fate in this full-circle moment. “He loves this city, he’s ready to make a splash—not only in football, but in the culture,” Cvitanovich remarked. “Brees’ first dinner was here. Now Shough’s first dinner is here too. If you’re asking me if I’m superstitious? D—n right I am.”

That goes beyond a rookie attempting to follow a legend. Something is being prepared at Drago’s by the football gods. So while Drew Brees tries to elbow his way onto the green with Dave Portnoy, back home in New Orleans. A new kid is slowly, respectfully, trying to walk in his cleats—without ever stomping on his toes.