Bengals legend praises Drew Brees' son as former Saints star sends heartfelt 'helmet note' ahead of Championship game
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees got emotional for his son, Bowen, as the 14-year-old is gearing up for his Pop Warner Championship game.
Taking to Instagram, Brees posted a picture of his handwritten letter for Bowen which the former NFL QB tucked inside his son's helmet.
Praising his son, Brees wrote:
"Bowen, I want you to know how proud I am of you! You have dedicated yourself to being the best you can be this fall. You have battled through injury and have sacrificed a lot of time."
He continued:
"You didn’t always love what you were being asked to do, but you pushed through and did it anyways. That is discipline and toughness! Some of the happiest moments in my life are watching you play!"
Brees added:
"I love the way you break the huddle and sprint to the ball to get lined up. Your attitude, poise, and confidence are contagious. Be the best you can be today! Do your best, have fun, never quit! I’m so proud to be your dad!"
The IG post also featured a picture of the handwritten note carefully placed inside the helmet.
Further captioning the IG Post, Drew Brees shared the inspiration behind his “helmet note.”
“One of my mentors told me about the ‘helmet notes’ his dad used to leave for him before games, and how he has carried on the tradition to his kids," Brees revealed. "I am now doing the same! I had tears in my eyes as I wrote this note to Bowen.”
After Brees' post made it to the internet, Andrew Whitworth, the former Cincinnati Bengals OT and Super Bowl LVI champion, commented on the IG post. He wrote:
“This bro! Let’s get it, Bowen! 💪🏼”
Drew Brees and Andrew Whitworth are contemporaries.
Brees played for 20 seasons in the league. From 2001–2005, he played for the San Diego Chargers, following which, he played for the New Orleans Saints from 2006–2020. On the other hand, Whitworth played for 16 seasons, first for the Cincinnati Bengals, from 2006 to 2016, and then for the Los Angeles Rams till 2021.
Drew Brees predicted that his son Bowen would grow up to be a footballer
Bowen Christopher Brees, who is the second child of Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, was born just eight months after the former QB won the Super Bowl in 2010 with the New Orleans Saints.
When Bowen was just two years old, Brees foresaw that his son would become a footballer, following in his footsteps.
"He might be our little football player," said Brees during a 2012 interview with CBS News.
Now, 12 years down the line, Bowen, a teenager now, seems to be fulfilling Brees' dreams as the 14-year-old will participate in the premier championship event for youth football in Florida.