Drew Brees Says His ‘Right Arm Does Not Work’ Following 2021 Retirement from NFL

The former NFL quarterback, who retired after 20 years in the league, says he sticks to pickleball these days

Drew Brees is opening up about the toll football took on his body.

In an interview on ESPN Radio’s Greeny, the retired NFL quarterback said that his “right arm does not work” anymore.

“I’ll let you in on a little fact: I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. My right arm does not work. So when I throw in the backyard right now, I throw left-handed,” he told host Evan Cohen on the Nov. 21 episode wile discussing if he was ever asked back to the league after stepping away in 2021. 

“I can play pickleball just because it’s below the waist, but anything above my shoulders I’ve got a hard time with,” Brees, who recently partnered up with John McEnroe on a pickleball paddle launch, said.

Brees says he links the issue back nearly two decades when he dislocated his right shoulder while playing for the San Diego Chargers, ESPN noted.

“That kind of put me on the fast-track to a degenerative shoulder and all kind of arthritic changes,” he shared.

In May 2022, the father-of-four hinted that he might suit up again following a retirement announcement. 

"Despite speculation from media about my future this fall, I'm currently undecided," Brees tweeted at the time. "I may work for NBC, I may play football again, I may focus on business and philanthropy, I may train for the pickleball tour, senior golf tour, coach my kids or all of the above. I'll let you know."

Related: Drew Brees on Tom Brady's Retirement: 'Felt Like He Might Play Forever'

However, given his comments on Tuesday, it sounds like the two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year is hanging up his helmet for good.

“I don’t throw with my right arm anymore,” Brees said. “If I could, I would absolutely still be playing.”

He later added that he will "need a shoulder replacement" at some point, but he is "trying to kind of fight that as long as I can."

On Nov. 9, Brees shared the first episode of his YouTube series titled “Game Winners” for his channel “Shootin’ the Brees” where he delves into the “ the best moment/drive of the week,” as he explained on X (formally known as Twitter). 

Brees announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2020-2021 season after 20 years in the league.

"After 20 years as a player in the NFL and 15 years as a Saint, it is time I retire from the game of football,”  Brees wrote in March 2021 alongside a video featuring his four kids. “Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback. Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans. We shared some amazing moments together, many of which are emblazoned in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us. You have molded me, strengthened me, inspired me, and given me a lifetime of memories.”

Related: Drew Brees Opens Up About Knowing 'It Was Time' to Retire from the NFL: 'There's a Balance'

"My goal for the last 15 years was striving to give to you everything you had given to me and more. I am only retiring from playing football, I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life's work begins!" the athlete concluded.

After first being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, Brees joined the Saints in 2006 where he played for the remainder of his career. He helped win the team win their first Super Bowl in 2010, where he was named the game's most valuable player.

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