As many of you surely know by now, with a fourth quarter touchdown pass to Darren Sproles in last night’s Monday Night football game against the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees became the holder of the National Football League record for most passing yards in a single season.

At risk of exploiting my youth, the previous record was set 5 years before I was born, by a Quarterback I only remember in his twilight named Dan Marino.  In that season, the then 23-year-old Dan Marino completed 362 passes for 5,084 yards.

In that same season 27 years ago, Dan Marino threw a then single season record 48 touchdown passes, a record that has since changed holders twice in the last decade.

But this record, the single season passing yardage record has stood alone for 27 years.

In our society, we place a high level of respect and admiration to competitive sport, and various successes therein.  It is thus by no means surprising that our attention gravitates toward the statistical achievements of individuals, even, if not particularly, in team sports.

We often wrongly accredit excessive quantities of praise to undeserving individuals; misguided glory to men who would be nothing without their teammates; misguided praise to those who are undeserving.

This is why, in this circumstance, I can think of few records better received than the Passing Yardage Mark set last evening.

loading...

Simply put, the character of Drew Brees is the embodiment of sportsmanship.

While his personal accomplishments are undoubtedly deserving of accolades, he is the first to give credit to others, to give praise to his teammates, to give the victory of a personal record to his entire team.

A champion of many causes on and off the football field, this is a man who was doubted before playing a single play in the National Football League, because he would not be tall enough to see over the offensive line.

A man who was largely cast aside after a shoulder injury spelled the end of his days playing quarterback.

Today, Drew Brees has thrown more passing yards in a single National Football League season than anyone else in history and will forever be regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever play the game.

For me, the proverbial icing on this cake is the date in which Brees accomplished this historic feat.  December 26, 2011.

For many, the surrounding days of Christmas and the New Year are times of reflection and aspiration.  Reflection on the year that has neared an end and aspirations for better days and success in the coming years.

Looking back at 2011, despite everything dark and troubling that has occurred in the sports world; this accomplishment by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints will outshine them all.  It is a beacon of dedication, belief, focus and faith, culminating in a numerical achievement.

In our lives, we each strive for greatness, we all aspire to set our own records.  In the coming years, whether we are selling cars or throwing for more yards than any man in NFL history, let this performance serve as a reminder that no personal record is exclusively an individual achievement.

This record by Drew Brees is truly an achievement in sport; a noble reminder of the wonderful possibilities that emerge from teamwork.

 

More From KOWB 1290