Brees retires after 20 seasons and record-setting career

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has announced his retirement after 20 seasons in the NFL.

Brees hangs up his cleats on the 15th anniversary of his free-agent signing with New Orleans.

"After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football," Brees wrote in his announcement. "I poured my heart and soul into being your quarterback. Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans."

The future Hall of Famer reached just about every milestone during his two decades on the gridiron, including winning a Lombardi Trophy and being named the Super Bowl XLIV MVP with the Saints in 2009, and earning an All-Pro nod and 13 Pro Bowl selections.

Brees was also named Comeback Player of the Year in 2004 and Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006.

The Austin, Texas, native retires as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and pass completions, ranking second in career passing touchdowns behind Tom Brady.

Brees is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, throwing for 5,000-plus yards in a season on five occasions. He's the only signal-caller to accomplish that feat more than once.

The then-San Diego Chargers' second-round pick in 2001, Brees spent the first five seasons of his career with the Bolts. He dove for a loose ball and suffered a torn labrum and further damage to his throwing shoulder during what would become his final game with the Chargers.

As the Chargers pivoted to Philip Rivers, Brees signed with New Orleans in free agency, just as the team and city was overcoming the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

During their 15-year partnership, Brees and the Saints won seven division titles and recorded nine winning seasons.

"He was a magnificent leader both on and off the field," head coach Sean Payton said in a release. "His attention to detail and competitive spirit were infectious. For all of us that have had the chance to coach him, it has been our privilege, we are better for it. I am forever grateful for what he has done for our team, our community, and for me personally."

The Saints captured the NFC South the past four seasons, but they fell short of returning to the Super Bowl.

Brees appeared to take a long look back out at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome while leaving the field following New Orleans' divisional-round playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January. The defeat marks the final game of his career, but he may not be done with football.

The 42-year-old reportedly signed a deal with NBC Sports last offseason to join the network upon his retirement as a player.