LKelley67

... and all the respect he is still given in SD I think of Leon. I doubt he would want to or is wanted to be seen again here.

Brees is still the people's choice

By: STEVE SCHOLFIELD - Senior Sports Columnist
RANCHO SANTA FE ---- Drew Brees may be gone but he is hardly forgotten.

Brees arrived at Morgan Run for the Stan Humphries Celebrity Golf Classic on Thursday and was treated like a long-lost hero.
Before teeing off in the celebrity-amateur event Brees was mobbed by Chargers fans.
"We are going to miss you, Drew," one man said.

"Thank you," Brees said.

"The Chargers were wrong in letting you go," said another man wearing a Chargers cap.

Said Brees: "That's nice of you to say."

And on and on it went for the former Chargers quarterback who is now the property of the New Orleans Saints.

He was asked by another fan if the Chargers can make the playoffs with Philip Rivers at quarterback, and the classy Brees responded, "I hope they do because I have a lot of friends on that team ---- including Philip."

He may be on the Saints, but Brees is still the people's choice in San Diego.

The Chargers will tell you otherwise, but Brees was pushed out of town after suffering a 360-degree torn labrum and rotator cuff injury in his throwing shoulder. The injury, which took place in the meaningless final game of the season, left his status for 2006 in doubt.

The Chargers balked at paying him, but New Orleans gave Brees a six-year, $60 million deal.

There were many at Morgan Run on Thursday who told Brees the Chargers lost out.

Brees was humbled by all the compliments and took the high road. He didn't berate the Chargers and is looking forward to his future in New Orleans.

"I feel like there is more to it than football," Brees said of New Orleans. "It's not only about rebuilding a team but a community and having a chance to be a part of that. A lot of that will be the success of the team. If we do that, we will raise everyone's spirits."

When another man approached him to sign three pictures of Brees wearing a Charger uniform, Brees signed them and said, "Got some Saints stuff?"

That will come when he takes the field after his shoulder is deemed fit for duty.
As one might expect, he's tired of people dissecting his shoulder injury.

"Yes, it gets old, but I understand there is going to be doubt because honestly, not everybody can deal with this. Because basically it's a 360-degree labrum tear and a partial rotator cuff. I think a lot of people would get sold down the river for an injury like this. But it is all about the guy who is going through it and what he is made of."

What we know about Brees is this: His one stubborn Texan who leads by example and knows how to win.

"I'm done answering questions about my rehab," Brees said. "I'm not divulging any secrets except to say it is just the beginning."

I see no reason to doubt him.

Judging from the way Brees was hitting golf balls on the practice tee, his shoulder looks fine.

"I can hit it 300 yards," Brees said, smiling.

He got clearance to play golf two weeks ago, then shot a 77 at a course in Birmingham, Ala., where he is rehabilitating his shoulder.

Of course, hitting a golf ball and taking a hit in a professional football game are two different things.

Brees will play in another celebrity-amateur event today at Morgan Run before the two-day celebrity tournament begins on Saturday.

Steve Scholfield is senior sports columnist for the North County Times. He can be reached at (760) 740-3509 or stevescho@cox.net.

LSUJeremy

Doesn't his leadership comments just scream out, "Aaron Brooks"?!?!

[That is a joke for the sarcasm impaired]