New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees became the NFL's all-time passing leader on Monday night, eclipsing Peyton Manning's record of 71,940 career passing yards with a 62-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Tre'Quan Smith.
The deep bomb to Smith came in the second quarter of New Orleans' 43-19 victory over the Washington Redskins, in which Brees finished with 363 yards, three touchdowns and a career-best 89.7% completion percentage (26-of-29). Following Brees' record-breaking moment, the game came to a halt as the 39-year old QB celebrated his achievement with his wife and four kids, and handed the ball to Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker.
"There's so many people that are responsible and had a hand in that," Brees told ESPN's Lisa Salters after the game when asked what the record means to him. "The two people that are most responsible for my football career, early on, my mom and my grandpa, are up in heaven.
"There were a lot of people I wanted to prove right tonight, but none more so than them. I know they are watching down on me."
In addition to becoming the NFL's all-time passing leader, Brees' three TD passes last night puts him just one shy of 500 for his career. The only other QBs to reach that milestone are Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who joined the club this past weekend.
Check out some of the reactions to Brees' historic night in the posts embedded below.
https://twitter.com/_/status/1049476529279959040
https://twitter.com/_/status/1049540011509440512
https://twitter.com/_/status/1049506695339229186
https://twitter.com/_/status/1049515800728604674