Drew Brees' Son Baylen Pens Emotional 'Letter to Dad' for Hall of Fame Induction

As the Saints legend entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Santa Fe Christian senior Baylen Brees reflected on the father he knew away from the spotlight.

Feb 7, 2010; Miami, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and his son Baylen Robert Brees try to catch confetti after the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

Drew Brees officially joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, but one of the ceremony's most memorable moments came away from the podium. It arrived in the form of a heartfelt letter from his oldest son, Baylen, a senior wide receiver at Santa Fe Christian High School in California.

On the day Brees joined Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri for enshrinement into Canton, the Saints released a video titled "Letter to Dad," narrated by Baylen Brees. In reading the letter he wrote to his father, Baylen reflects not on his father's touchdowns, records or Super Bowl championship, but on a version of the NFL quarterback never seen by the fans.

A Son's Tribute

Baylen wrote:

Dear Dad,

I never realized what I was watching every Sunday was history. The touchdowns. The comebacks. The records. But my favorite moments never happened under the stadium lights — they happened at home.

To the world, you became one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play this game. But to me you were my dad. The Hall of Fame is filled with incredible players, but long before this moment you were already our hero.

Not because of the records, not because of the rings, but because after every game — win or lose — you came back home and became Dad again. Today the game honors everything you've accomplished on the field.

Congratulations Dad. Welcome to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We couldn't be more prouder, and we love you.

— Baylen Brees

Baylen's Own Football Journey

The tribute carries added meaning because Baylen is now writing his own football story. The 17-year-old is entering his senior season at Santa Fe Christian in Solana Beach, California, where he plays wide receiver. He caught 14 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns in 2025, helping the Eagles to a 13-1 record which included three playoff victories.

Baylen was born in 2009, just before his father led New Orleans to its first Super Bowl title. He grew up watching one of the greatest quarterback careers in NFL history unfold from the front row. While fans watched one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks, he simply watched his dad.

Now, as he prepares for his own senior season, Baylen understands those Sundays differently. One chapter of the family's football story is permanently etched into football history, while another is only beginning to unfold on high school fields in Southern California.