Drew Brees tells kids ‘play as many sports as you can’

Becoming an NFL quarterback required more than just playing football as a young athlete. That was Drew Brees’s message to youth football players last week in southern California.

The 12-time Pro Bowler was helping to kick off his Football ‘N’ America (FNA) program’s fall season. FNA, which Brees co-founded, is designed to provide an opportunity for young athletes to play flag football and develop the skills that prepare them for the tackle game.

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During a Q&A with the kids, Brees talked about his experience with multiple sports as a young athlete. He said they all contributed to his success on the football field.

From the La Jolla Light:

“Kids, play as many sports as you can for as long as you can,” he said. “Don’t let anyone tell you, you have to specialize in something. Every sport requires different skill sets, and there is a sport in every season.”

To answer the question of what one sport helped Brees to become a better football player, he relied on those who follow him on Instagram.

“What did I post about on Sunday?” he asked.

A small voice from the stands yelled, “Tennis!”

Brees replied: “I think tennis is a great sport. It helped me the most as a quarterback. You have to hit forehand and backhand, so you have to use your right hand and your left hand. The lateral movement and holding on the racket is also great for your shoulder stabilization. But all sports complement each other.”

Brees attended Westlake High School in Texas, and he didn’t play tackle football until he arrived there. Brees said he also participated in baseball, basketball, track, soccer, tennis and ping-pong, according to the article.

There’s no shortage of professional athletes, and even coaches, who attribute their success to multisport participation. Earlier this year, in the weeks leading up to Super Bowl LIII, numerous Patriots players, including quarterback Tom Brady, talked about the benefits of playing multiple sports.

Read more from the La Jolla Light.