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

Mar. 15, 2025

Drew Brees.Photo: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty

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

Inan interview on ESPN Radio’sGreeny, 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 afterstepping 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 apickleball 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.

Drew Brees and Tom Brady.Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty

“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-fourhinted that he might suit up againfollowing a retirement announcement.

“Despite speculation from media about my future this fall, I’m currently undecided,” Breestweetedat 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.”

“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 sharedthe first episode of his YouTube seriestitled “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).

Drew Brees holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy alongside coach Sean Payton following the New Orleans Saints' 2010 Super Bowl win.Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty

Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty

Breesannounced his retirement from the NFLfollowing 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.”

source: people.com