Drew Brees Passes Dan Marino: Saints QB Joins Marino, Joe Namath, Dan Fouts In Holding NFL Record

Drew Brees made history on Monday night when he connected with running back Darren Sproles for a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the New Orleans Saints' win over the Atlanta Falcons. That completion earned the quarterback one of the most hallowed individual records in professional football. Brees had eclipsed Dan Marino's passing yards total from his historic 1984 season.

Marino passed for a staggering 5,084 yards during his iconic '84 campaign, a mark that many thought would stand forever. Of course, rule changes and the ensuing strategic adjustments have opened up a game that was formerly far more grounded. That pass to Sproles pushed Brees' season total to 5,087 yards.

On Monday, Brees became the fourth quarterback to hold the single-season passing yards record during the Super Bowl era, joining Joe Namath, Dan Fouts and Marino in an exclusive quarterbacking club. Prior to Namath topping the 4,000-yard mark, the previous record of 3,723 yards had been set by Sonny Jurgensen with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. Shortly after Marino's mark was surpassed, the former Dolphins' signal caller sent his congratulations to Brees via Twitter.

@DanMarino
Dan Marino

Congrats to @drewbrees. Great job by such a special player.

December 27, 2011 4:44 am via Twitter for iPad Reply Retweet Favorite

After being goaded into delivering an unintentionally comedic speech to his teammates and addressing reporters after the game, Brees responded.

@drewbrees
Drew Brees

Thanks to @DanMarino for his class and support during this run. It is an honor to attempt to follow the example he set for us all

December 27, 2011 7:26 am via DROID Reply Retweet Favorite

Namath, who tends to be a bit more contentious on Twitter than either of the two most recent holders of his former record, did not immediately comment on the social media platform. In fact, his account had been quiet since shortly after the conclusion of the Jet's disheartening loss to the Giants on Saturday.

@RealJoeNamath
Joe Namath

Well that's a great way to ruin a damn nice afternoon.

December 24, 2011 9:40 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

The final member of the record-setting quarter, Fouts, does not currently have a Twitter account, but he may choose to address the new record while broadcasting the Ravens-Bengals game for CBS this weekend.

Here are the record-setting seasons for each of the prolific passers to hold this record during the Super Bowl era:

Comments

[Andrew Pearson]

05:49 PM on 01/01/2012

Of course, rule changes and the ensuing strategic adjustments have opened up a game that was formerly far more grounded.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the sports channels and reporters always seem to forget that these records that they claim would be seem to never be broken are now being broken because players/ teams have more games in a season then when the original record setter played. If the players were to break the records in the same amount of games or fewer then I think it should be something to cheer about.

[plebian43]

07:23 PM on 12/28/2011

But will Brees buy isotoner gloves for his offensive line?

[FirstGame72]

09:00 AM on 12/31/2011

Can he? Are they still even available?
I do know he got them all Super Bowl rings. Something Marino was never able to attain.

[plebian43]

08:13 PM on 12/31/2011

They actually are, but your right, that's the juxtaposition I was going for.

[FirstGame72]

08:56 AM on 12/28/2011

1) That "during the super bowl era" stuff is pure, meaningless drivel.
2) Brees already has accomplished something that Marino failed to do which is 100 times more important than any signle season passing record, he's won a Super Bowl.

[triplettam]

02:37 AM on 12/28/2011

Well, not matter what the arguments below, congratulations are in order, Drew. You're a class act.

[adamesterholm]

02:16 AM on 12/28/2011

I will say its impressive however not as impressive as in 1984. The league is now a passing heavy league brees threw over 600 times for gods sake. Also I think people forget that if brady plays next week he also breaks the record !!!

[triplettam]

02:38 AM on 12/28/2011

Brees completed 72% of his passes. Might have something to do with it.

[LovethemSkins]

09:28 AM on 12/28/2011

Brady may break it, but, it won't be his name on the plaque now will it? Rodgers may also break it too, as well as, Bradys' 50 td single season record!

[darkflameangelus]

12:55 PM on 12/28/2011

Actually, if Brady or Rodgers passes for more yards than Brees, that persons name does go on the plaque, as he would be the single season record holder. Sure Brees did it first, but that won't matter if one of the others has more yards at the end of the season than him.

[Quotidien]

10:20 PM on 12/27/2011

Marino is still my all-time favorite. People forget that he passed for that record in his 3rd year in the NFL. Brees is a 10 year veteran.

[FirstGame72]

08:59 AM on 12/28/2011

People also forget, really forget that Marino was one of thw worst post season QB's ever and that he had numerous cracks at getting to a SB but played poorly and lost out.
Brees of course has already won one.

[Quotidien]

01:24 PM on 12/28/2011

Brees also had a balanced attack to take defensive pressure off of his passing game. Marino never had a 1000 yard rusher on his team.

[NHBill]

08:29 PM on 12/27/2011

It's a totally different game today.
" * " for sure.

[rikster]

07:56 PM on 12/27/2011

you also need a coaching staff that prepares a successful game plan.

[Andrew Pearson]

05:41 PM on 01/01/2012

You also need a lot more games in a season to achieve what was done in less time. Thats why the records should be in different slots or some way of indicating the difference in games between players.

[ByThePowerOfGrayskull]

07:45 PM on 12/27/2011

Brees is secured a spot in the Football Hall of Fame.

[billnbstn]

07:28 PM on 12/27/2011

Drew Brees' record***********Dome Football**********!

[doctorj2u]

09:45 PM on 12/27/2011

Jealous?

[xzwq]

06:13 PM on 12/27/2011

Means nothing. In 2050, 6,000 yards will be the new standard. This is the reason why there's no such thing as the greatest ever. History and the times will always dictate otherwise.

[Ezra Black]

07:27 PM on 12/27/2011

It means a lot ... no one can predict 2050 so for right now it is the record

[rikster]

07:57 PM on 12/27/2011

6000 yards in a few years.....

[motoGpifupleez]

06:07 PM on 12/27/2011

Bit by bit, Marino's record are falling and it always seems to be to a SuperBowl winner. That is what must tear him up the most.

[GeorgeGee]

03:35 AM on 12/30/2011

Yep. I bet Marino spends his life being "torn apart". A man like Marino who has accomplished so much in his life does not get "torn apart" because a record falls. Perhaps someone with a mediocre existence might (poster obviously included). But you're talking about a man who played his sport at the highest level, is a Hall of Famer, has the respect of all his peers and all football fans with an ounce of a clue, a cushy post football career, a beautiful wife and 4 kids, more money that he can ever want and is a beloved legend in his city. Yep, he must live a torn up existence!