Winston spent a year on the bench behind the recently retired Saints starter, assumedly learning behind one of the best to ever do it, and clearly that impact was felt. In a video posted by the Saints on Tuesday, Winston confirmed as much, getting teary-eyed and emotional when discussing the impact that Brees had on him, his career and even his family.
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Winston’s full response:
Winston spent the 2020 season as Brees’ backup, though he got limited snaps when Brees was injured, with head coach Sean Payton opting for Taysom Hill as quarterback instead. Winston re-signed with the Saints this offseason, leading to expectations that he may be named Saints starter in 2021 if he wins a camp battle with Hill.
Then, having a chance to play in the playoffs? After, like, winning a playoff game, getting a chance to throw a touchdown in the playoffs. Like, I love football. That’s all I’ve done my entire life. And someone that I look up to, that I admire, that I could touch, was my teammate, and I had a chance to serve him? Like, man, I’m speechless. That really gets me emotional, because I really love Drew Brees. Like, I don’t think he understands. I know my wife do, I know my family do. Y’all don’t understand the impact that him and a lot of other quarterbacks had on me as a quarterback, growing up in Bessemer, Alabama.
Y’all don’t ever understand, a lot of people don’t understand the human aspect of an athlete, but — nah, man. Just know I love Drew Brees, for real, like I really do. I was just happy that I was able to witness what he did.
And if that happens, expect Brees’ influence to carry through the 2021 season.
