When life knocks you down, get back up and try even harder. That's the sentiment Superbowl 2009's Most Valuable Player Drew Brees expresses throughout his life story to inspire readers to reach greater heights. In his new book, Coming Back Stronger, Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity, Drew and co-author Chris Fabry, reveal the struggles that led Drew to become not only a champion in the world of sports but a champion in life as well.
Ironically, it was Nick Saban, LSU's former coach who had left such a bitter taste in the mouths of Tiger fans across the country, who was the impetus for Drew to choose to play for the New Orleans Saints in 2006. After an injury to his shoulder which left the then-quarterback for the San Diego Chargers unsure if he would ever be able to play football again, Drew was offered a less-than-satisfactory contract to stay on with the Chargers. The staff of the Miami Dolphins, along with then-head coach Saban, began courting Drew to make the move to Miami. The Saints new head coach, Sean Peyton, had also made an offer, but Drew was leaning toward Miami.
That was before he met both coaches.
Fortunately for Saints fans, Sean Peyton made the better impression, wooing Drew not through contract offers, but through his belief in the quarterback.
In the book, Drew recalls his feelings after talking with Peyton. "Everything he [Peyton] said to me seemed to communicate one central message: We want you here. We believe in you, and we are as confident in your ability to come back and lead this team to a championship as you are."
His conversations with Saban did not go as well. When Drew asked Saban if he believed that he could come back and lead the Dolphins to a championship, Saban paused, then responded, "Well, Drew, I would still love to have you, but I have to trust what our medical people are saying."
It was at that moment Drew made his decision. He would play football for a city still reeling from the devastation of Katrina, for a team that had throughout its history never once made it to the Superbowl and was very unsure of its status in New Orleans.
That decision changed the future of Saints football, and last year, we all watched as the once down and out quarterback brought the once down and out city to a Superbowl championship that meant much more than any Superbowl in the history of the game. Drew Brees and Sean Peyton gave the city of New Orleans a precious gift-the belief that anything is possible if you put your heart into it.
And that's what Drew does-puts his heart into everything he does. From his love for his wife, Brittany, and son, Baylen, to his dedication toward helping the people of New Orleans heal their wounds, Drew shows that being a champion means much more than playing a good game of football. Written in first person, Coming Back Stronger chronicles with humbleness and gratefulness, how struggle can be the building block of good character and teach you how to be a better person. With stunning honesty, Drew explores the setbacks that helped shaped this man for whom life and winning did not come easily.
When he was seven, his parents divorced, leaving Drew and his brother, Reid, to be shuttled back and forth between parents whose bitter fights left scars that took years to heal. Drew reveals in the book that when he married Brittany, he knew that divorce would never be an option for the couple because he would not ever want to put his own children through what he and Reid had experienced. He also delves into the love he shares with his wife in a heartwarming way that many men would be lax to express, showing how that love has changed and grown throughout their years together.

Their four-year love affair with the city and people of New Orleans is touching, as well. The couple came up with the idea to create the Brees Dream Foundation on their honeymoon as a way to give back to the community that had embraced them so completely. Drew lives by the maxim, "To whom much is given, much will be required," and his foundation speaks to the level of blessings he has received. From helping cancer patients to rebuilding schools in New Orleans, Drew's success has meant success for the people of the Crescent City in so many different ways.
Drew admits that at times writing this book was difficult, especially when he had to discuss his complicated relationship with his mother. Although theirs was an often stormy relationship, when she died just before the 2009 season was to start, Drew cried openly in front of his teammates. And when he learned that she had committed suicide, the pain went that much deeper. That experience, however, led him to form even stronger bonds with his family and friends.
While football is the central theme of the book, there is one underlying constant that reveals itself over and over as each page is turned-Drew's love for and belief in God. It is the rock that keeps him balanced, the strength that keeps him coming back and trying harder and the map that guides him to great compassion and love for others. While not preachy, Drew shows how his relationship with God has led him to overcome adversity and to consistently strive to be better, stronger, to be the best person that he can be.
His positive attitude and belief in himself, God, and his team transcended anything the critics had to say and showed the world that with a lot of hard work, discipline and faith, heroes can be made from a group of men that for the most part nobody wanted.
For the city that has experienced so much tragedy, Drew Brees was a Godsend. But that's not the way he sees it.
In this incredibly inspirational depiction of the heart necessary to create a champion, Drew simply has this to say to the city that he feels embraced him when he needed it most, "You saved me."

Drew Brees - The Brees Dream Foundation
www.drewbrees.com
www.twitter.com/DREWBREES

Photos are courtesy of
New Orleans Saints/Michael C. Hebert