When you log onto Instagram this Memorial Day weekend, you might scroll past countless tributes. But then you’d see Drew Brees’ name—and pause. You hear the familiar cadence of Brees’s voice, and your mind might drift to roaring crowds or the thrill of a fourth-quarter drive. And this weekend, the Hall-of-Fame quarterback traded playbooks for a solemn salute. Brees used his platform not to dissect X’s and O’s but to honor a legacy far greater than any Super Bowl victory. 

In a brief Surge Entertainment–branded reel, the Hall-of-Fame quarterback lifts his eyes to the camera, the familiar New Orleans skyline dimly lit behind him. The stadium lights are out, leaving only the glow from his phone’s ring light. Even without a cheering crowd, his presence carries weight. This isn’t about stats or highlights; it’s a simple, direct address to every American observing Memorial Day. 

Recently in an Instagram reel, Brees opened with a warm greeting—“What’s up, everybody, Drew Brees here”—before delivering the weekend’s message: “This Memorial Day weekend, we honor the legacy of all the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We stand in gratitude, and we carry your memory forward with pride, with purpose, and with unshakeable respect.” In his closing words, Brees offered both gratitude and a charge: “On behalf of Surge Entertainment and my family, we say thank you, and God bless America.” It’s more than a sign-off; it’s a call to carry forward not just memories, but the ideals for which they stood.

At its core, Memorial Day is America’s day to mourn and to remember. Born from the ashes of the Civil War, the holiday has expanded to honor every service member lost in combat, from distant battlefields to recent deployments. Each year, flags flutter on porches, and small towns ring church bells at sunrise. Yet when a figure of Brees’s stature speaks, the tribute echoes beyond parades and poppies, reaching millions at home and on handheld screens. Also, his nationwide impact doesn’t stop at screens.

Just days before, Brees had celebrated another milestone: the grand opening of Surge Entertainment’s newest venue in Metairie, Louisiana. The state-of-the-art center—bowling lanes, laser tag, a full arcade—is his latest venture into community building. “We are excited to reward our team here at Surge,” Brees said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 24, highlighting the center’s role in “bringing families together for unforgettable moments”. From the lanes of Surge’s new Metairie center to the heart of our nation’s memory, Brees’s influence extends far beyond any scoreboard.

Beyond the gridiron: how Drew Brees channels his voice into service

Surge Entertainment isn’t just an amusement hub; it’s his stage for impact. Co-founder Brees envisions a brand that “shines a light on leadership and community,” as he told PR Newswire in mid-May. “I want to build experiences that inspire, whether you’re here for a game or here to grow,” he said, underscoring the company’s mission to fuse entertainment with empowerment. Since its 2021 launch, Surge Entertainment has partnered with top sports and media talents to produce original content across film, digital, and live events, aiming to reach millions with stories of resilience and leadership.

Giving back has long been part of his playbook. Through the Brees Dream Foundation, Drew and his wife Brittany have donated more than $35 million into health centers, academic programs, and neighborhood revitalization projects nationwide. This past January, they teamed with Alltroo to raise funds for wildfire relief in California, offering fans a shot at Super Bowl tickets while funding on-the-ground aid—another example of sports connecting to service. 

On the broadcast side, he’s still mentoring. In a May 17 sit-down with WDSU, Brees weighed in on quarterback Derek Carr’s recent retirement, praising Carr’s resilience through injuries and likening his journey to that of Taysom Hill. “Competitions bring out the best in everybody,” Brees reflected. Even off the field, he remains a guiding voice, blending analysis with empathy. 

As Memorial Day fades on the calendar, it shouldn’t fade in our minds. And when the cheers return this fall, perhaps we’ll hear more than crowd noise when Brees—or any public figure—reminds us that every yard gained on the gridiron pales beside the ultimate sacrifice.