Drew Brees says lone incompletion on record night will ‘haunt’ him

If you want to understand the champion mentality Drew Brees possesses that helps drive him towards greatness, look no further than his postgame interview on Monday night.

On a night when Brees broke the career touchdown passes record as many expected he would, Brees also broke the record for best completion percentage in a game, which was unexpected. Brees passed for four touchdowns to give him 541 in his career. The 540th broke Peyton Manning’s record for career touchdown passes. Brees also went 29/30 (96.7 percent) to break Philip Rivers’ record for completion percentage in a game.

And yet the New Orleans Saints quarterback was focused on his one missed pass.

“I’ll be honest with you,” Brees told ESPN’s Lisa Salters, “you always think about the one you miss. If I just set my darn feet and throw it to the running back, it’s 30 for 30. That one may haunt me for a little while.”

Brees’ missed pass was a checkdown intended for Latavius Murray in the flat. He’s right — it was just a matter of him not setting his feet.

Drew Brees' only incompletion in 30 attempts tonight. #unreal pic.twitter.com/5OPLr9UI6c

— Tom Leyden (@TomLeyden) December 17, 2019

While Brees was hard on himself for the miss, Saints head coach Sean Payton cracked a joke, saying the quarterback would receive a negative grade for the play.

Drew Brees went 29-30 tonight

Payton on Brees' one incompletion tonight #Saints pic.twitter.com/8dsuSgMFv0

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 17, 2019

We’re guessing Payton will go easier on Brees in the film review. There won’t be many flaws to point out.