Smith happy to help
Former UCF star’s catch allows Brees to top Manning’s yardage record
Former UCF star Tre’Quan Smith initially didn’t realize his first NFL touchdown catch also was one of the biggest plays in league history, helping Drew Brees break the NFL passing record.
Brees broke Peyton Manning’s career passing yards record of 71,940 yards with a 62-yard touchdown pass to Smith during the second quarter of New Orleans’ 43-19 victory over the Washington Redskins Monday night.
Smith recalled celebrating his play before realizing it was a huge milestone.
“While I’m in the stands, I see everybody in the middle of the field with Drew, and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, we did it. And I did it. And I’m a part of it,’ ” Smith said while speaking with reporters after the game.
“… I thank God it was me. Now I get to go down in history with somebody famous in Hall of Famer Drew Brees. I’m glad it happened to me.”
The ball is going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Smith didn’t keep close track of it before celebrating the touchdown.
“I believe I dropped it,” Smith recalled. “Some people thought I was going to throw it in the stands. I dropped it in the end zone and then jumped into the stands.”
The rookie was surprised to even find himself in a position to celebrate.
“I did not expect to get the ball on that particular play,” Smith said. “It was the second time we ran that play. Cam Meredith got it the first time. When I saw it come to me, I did everything I could to catch it.”
After the win, Saints coach Sean Payton said he didn’t design the play with Smith as one of the first receiving options.
“To be honest with you, on a look throw, it wouldn’t be first in the progression,” Payton said during his postgame press conference. “[Brees] felt the coverage come off and he made the right decision. It wasn’t where we saw the ball going in its design on a Tuesday night at midnight and that was a credit to him.”
Other players joked they had planned to hide the record-breaking ball from Brees if it came their way, but none could really hide their joy they were in the stadium the night the veteran quarterback broke the record.
Brees entered the game needing 201 yards to set the record. He said during his postgame press conference he tried not to focus too much on the milestone, but he also knew in his head before he took the field for a series late in the second quarter that the team was going to run the two-minute drill. If he connected on all his pass plays, he easily could break the record on the drive.
“Didn’t know it was going to happen on the first play [of the series] to Tre’Quan,” Brees recalled. “I don’t think it could have happened in any better fashion than it did. To have that moment with my teammates on the field, the offensive line, I mean, it just played out even greater than I could have imagined.”
With the Saints leading the Redskins 26-6 with a little more than two minutes left in the second quarter, Brees could comfortably enjoy the moment.
Officials stopped the game and the record-setting ball Smith dropped immediately after reaching the end zone was handed to Pro Football Hall of Fame officials. Saints fans gave Brees a standing ovation. In addition to celebrating with his teammates and coach, Brees got the chance to salute the crowd and hug his wife and children on the sideline.
It all came together in a way that wouldn’t have been possible if he broke the record late in a loss, especially one on the road.
“I tried to rehearse the scenario in my mind this week just so I could really focus on the game, but then to have the moment with Sean ... my [sons;] my wife, Brittany; and my daughter, Rylen,” Brees said. “... It was incredible.”