American Football star Drew Brees fought back from a career-threatening injury to lead New Orleans Saints to the NFL play-offs in one of the most emotionally-charged sporting success stories of the year.
In the last game of the 2005 season, while playing for the San Diego Chargers, quarter-back Brees injured his shoulder while trying to pick up a fumble in the match against Denver Broncos. Brees suffered a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder and missed the chance to play in the AFC Pro Bowl team in 2006.
Many thought he would never be the same again and the Chargers offered him a new contract on terms with which he was not happy. He transferred to New Orleans Saints, then attempting to recover after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Helped by the emotion of the home crowd in the Louisiana Superdome where the Saints have now returned following the hurricane, Brees made a complete recovery and came back even stronger, leading the entire NFL with 4,418 passing yards in the regular season.
In December, his achievement was acknowledged when he was named starting quarter-back for the NFC team in the 2007 Pro Bowl.
