New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who lead his team to their first NFL championship last February, was named Sports Illustrated’s 57th Sportsman of the Year.
Brees lead the team that not only lifted a downtrodden franchise, but an entire city, still reeling from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. After arriving in 2006, he and his family embraced New Orleans and its people and became a symbol for the franchise.
In addition to his exploits on the football field, Brees and his wife, Brittany, established the Brees Dream Foundation, to fund cancer research and provide care for children in need. The foundation has raised more than $6 million.