All summer long, we’re going to list the best players in New Orleans Saints history to wear every number, 00-99.

Today, #9:

The pick: Drew Brees

Oh wow!!! There's a surprise!!!

When picking the best Saints player ever to wear #9, the choice is limited to Brees, along with quarterbacks Tommy Kramer and Jake Delhomme, punter George Winslow, and kicker Happy Feller.

Seriously, this one is a no-brainer, as Brees, who signed with the Saints as a free agent prior to the 2006 season, is one of the most beloved players in franchise history.

After finishing his collegiate career at Purdue, where he won the Maxwell Award following the 2000 season, Brees was taken by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of 2001 NFL Draft.

After playing five seasons for the Chargers, in which he threw for 12,348 and 80 touchdowns, Brees signed with the Saints as a free agent, joining new head coach Sean Payton, prior to the 2006 campaign.

The signing immediately paid big dividends, as Brees led the Saints to their first-ever appearance in the NFC Championship Game, throwing for 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first season with the franchise.

After throwing for over 9,500 yards and 62 touchdowns, combined, over the next two years, Brees guided the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, and win, in 2009, throwing for 4,388 yards and 44 scores.

From 2011-2013, Brees had three-consecutive 5,000-yard passing seasons, including a team-record 5,476 yards in 2011.

Not only that, but Brees is still playing at a high level, passing for 4,952 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2014.

A native of Austin, Texas, Brees has won numerous honors, including being named to the Pro Bowl nine times, Super Bowl XLIV MVP, AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008 & 2011),  and Walter Payton Man of the Year (2006).

Brees has set numerous NFL records as well, including being the all-time leader in completion percentage, the fastest player in history to reach 40,000 passing yards, the fastest in history to pass for 50,000 yards, the most seasons with 5,000 passing yards (4), and the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54).

Needless to say, Brees is the all-time franchise leader is virtually every passing category, including career wins, passing touchdowns, pass attempts, pass completions and passing yards.

Over his 14-year career, Brees has completed 4,937-of-7,458 passes for 56,033 yards and 396 touchdowns.

In nine years with the Saints, Brees has completed 3,812-of-5,649 passes for 43,685 yards and 316 touchdowns.

Brees will forever go down as the best Saints player to ever wear #9, as it's a certainty that no one will ever wear that number again.

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