New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas’ long-standing record of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass Sunday in front of a raucous crowd at the Mercedes Benz Bowl that included suspended head coach Sean Payton.
The history-making play occurred when Brees threw a perfect pass to a streaking Devery Henderson for a 40-yard score with 2:58 left in first quarter. Brees went on to throw three more TD passes as they went on to defeat the San Diego Chargers, 31-24.
“The amazing thing about a record like this is it spans over the course of really four seasons and hopefully we can keep it going to for a while,” Brees said. “There are so many people that are a part of this.”
Payton and suspended coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis were a part of the occasion, which is way the NFL allowed them to attend the game. The three men sat in a private area of the dome. All are serving lengthy suspensions in connection with NFL’s bounty investigation this past summer. Joe Unitas was also on present to see his father’s record broken.
Brees eclipsed the record in the spectacular fashion passing for 370 years and four touchdowns, which put him over 30,000 yards in his 100th game as a Saint.
“I guess you really couldn’t have written a better script for tonight,” Brees said. “To break the record, to get the win, and the fashion in which we won — really a complete team effort all the way around.”
The Who Dat’ nation and Twitter exploded in congratulatory tweets to Brees. Commissioner Roger Goodell tweeted on his page, “Congrats to (at)drewbrees & his teammates on breaking Unitas’ record. Amazing accomplishment by great QB & leader. We’re proud of you, Drew.”
Payton said having the suspended Saints in attendance mattered.
“It gave us a good mojo for sure,” Brees said. “I love my coach, so glad he could be here. Mickey and Joe Vitt as well. It is special for our team, special they could be a part of this record.”
The Saints move to 1-4 on the season as they head into their bye week. Brees has the opportunity to move to 49 consecutive games with a touchdown pass when they play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.