Drew Brees is headed to Canton - and New Orleans is giving him the kind of celebration only this city can deliver.
Fresh off his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, the legendary Saints quarterback will take a victory lap through the heart of the Crescent City this Sunday, riding atop a custom float in the iconic Bacchus parade. It’s a fitting tribute for a player who didn’t just lead the Saints to greatness - he helped lift an entire city.
Float designer Barry Kern shared that the specially crafted ride will feature a statue of Brees and an LED-lit sign that reads, “Thank you, Who Dat Nation.” It’s a message that goes both ways. Because if there’s one thing New Orleans fans know, it’s that Brees gave just as much to the city as the city gave to him.
This won’t be Brees’ first time rolling with Bacchus. Back in 2010 - just weeks after leading the Saints to their first and only Super Bowl win - he reigned as monarch of the parade, a moment that felt like the perfect capstone to a dream season. Now, 16 years later, he returns not as a reigning king, but as a forever legend.
Brees joined the Saints in 2006, when the franchise - and the city - were still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. His arrival marked a turning point.
On the field, he transformed the Saints into perennial contenders. Off the field, he became a symbol of hope, resilience, and leadership.
That Super Bowl title in 2010 wasn’t just a football achievement; it was a cultural milestone for a community that had endured so much.
By the time he retired in 2020, Brees had rewritten the Saints’ record books and left an indelible mark on the NFL. But in New Orleans, his legacy goes beyond stats and trophies. He’s part of the city’s soul.
On Sunday, he’ll join Bacchus 2026 monarch Patrick Warburton as part of the 32-float procession rolling through Uptown. The parade starts at 5:15 p.m. on Napoleon Avenue, and you can bet the cheers for No. 9 will be as loud as ever.
All hail Drew Brees - Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, and forever a son of New Orleans.