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Sports world reacts after Drew Brees sets the NFL's all-time passing record

Ryan Young
Staff writer

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees became the NFL’s all-time passing yards leader on Monday night, passing Peyton Manning’s previous record of 71,940 yards.

He broke the record in style, too, hitting rookie Tre’Quan Smith for a 62 yard touchdown down the right sideline. Behind three touchdowns from Brees, New Orleans cruised to a 43-19 win over the Washington Redskins.

The 39-year-old, who has been playing in the league since 2001, was just the fifth quarterback ever to pass for more than 53,063 yards — and is on pace to hold the record for quite some time.

Naturally, plenty of sports figures took to social media to congratulate Brees on Monday night.

After all, it was well earned.

Peyton Manning ‘upset’ Brees broke his record

Manning probably had the best reaction to Brees breaking his record, which he set in 2015 while playing for the Denver Broncos.

“Drew, for 1,000 days I’ve held the record for all time passing yards in the NFL. I’ve got to tell you, it’s been the greatest 1,000 days of my life,” Manning said while slicing tomatoes. “Thanks to you, that’s over now. You’ve ruined that for me. So, thank you very much. I have nothing left to look forward to except slicing my tomatoes, making dinner for my family, putting together this wedge salad.”

Manning went ahead and congratulated Brees on breaking his passing touchdowns record, too — as he’s well on pace to accomplish that feat before he retires. Manning threw 539 touchdowns in his career. Brees was fourth on the list heading into Monday night at 496.

It’s good to know that, even in retirement, Manning still has his sense of humor.

The NFL world reacts

Plenty of other current and former NFL players took to social media to congratulate Brees on Monday, too.

Donte Stallworth shared a thread telling a story when he and Brees both had shoulder surgery back in 2005, and how surprised he was that Brees knew so much about his game.

He earned a shoutout from his alma matter.

Athletes from other sports took to Twitter to congratulate him, too, including LeBron James and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Former President Barack Obama tweeted about Brees’ record-setting night, too.

Even New Orleans native Ellen DeGeneres got in on the action. The news took her a bit by surprise, though, as she thought she already held the record for passing.

People from all across the sports world took to social media on Monday night to congratulate Drew Brees after he broke the NFL’s all-time passing record. (Getty Images)
People from all across the sports world took to social media on Monday night to congratulate Drew Brees after he broke the NFL’s all-time passing record. (Getty Images)

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