Some of you might recall my stating in the past that Drew Brees is an old high school teammate and friend of mine. As much fun as it's been watching him develop over the years, nothing will come close to the thrill of seeing him play on the game's biggest stage tonight in front of the entire world.

He's had a tough year, too. His step-mother, who he lived with much of his early life, died under mysterious circumstances during the offseason. And in addition to the severe torn shoulder he overcame before coming to New Orleans, he blew his knee out from a blatant cheap-shot he received during a playoff game our junior year in h.s.

He's really one of the game's ultimate all-time over achievers and win-or-lose tonight I'm quite proud to know him, as he's also one of the nicest and classiest guys in the league right along with someone like Peyton Manning.