In one of those stories that would be funny if it weren't sad, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his politician mother aren't seeing eye to eye. After learning that his image had appeared in one of her television ads, Brees had his agent send a letter threatening legal action against his mother, Mina Brees, an Austin attorney who is running for a spot on Texas' 3rd Court of Appeals. In commercials running on Austin stations, Mina Brees had been using a picture of her son in the uniform of his former team, the San Diego Chargers, to emphasize her ties to football.
"I think the major point here is that my mother is using me in a campaign, and I've made it known many times I don't want to be involved," Drew Brees said Monday.
Brees and his mom have been estranged since he entered the NFL and chose not to hire her as his agent. Mina Brees's campaign web site still touts her relationship with her son and includes a picture of him. She was in the news four months ago when she continued campaigning despite suffering a heart attack.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-31-2006 @ 6:34PM
Lee Butler said...
Drew Brees needs a lesson in Public Relations. Keep it private, Drew. See a psychiatrist and have your brain checked.
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10-31-2006 @ 7:49PM
d lep said...
Drew is absolutely right. Politicians need to obey the law which she apparently isn't. Son or not, she can't use his name if he doesn't want her to.
Her actions support his decision to not use her.
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10-31-2006 @ 9:11PM
BRENT said...
DREW JUST AS WELL ENTER POLITICS - HE IS NO DAMN GOOD ON THE FIELD.
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10-31-2006 @ 11:16PM
George B Vieto said...
Just what the knuckleheads need in the Big Easy political football city. I hope Drew plays better next week against the Buccaneers.
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11-01-2006 @ 7:49AM
ihatemovies said...
"DREW JUST AS WELL ENTER POLITICS - HE IS NO DAMN GOOD ON THE FIELD."
Are you really that big of a fool, or do you just play one on the internet?
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11-01-2006 @ 12:29AM
Ben said...
Drew Brees should know that playing on the biggest stage on earth, NFL, his image will be used whether he likes it or not. He should grow up and get used to it.
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11-01-2006 @ 1:14AM
Nelson said...
Drew Brees is a failure. What kind of a guy would take legal action against his mother?? Especially one who had just had a heart attack???
By the way, have you seen what his mother looks like? His mom is HOT LOOKING!!!! I'm not joking, either.
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11-01-2006 @ 12:42AM
U.H. said...
Drew - this better be some mistake you made in trusting the media. I hope this was leaked based upon some misguided earnestness on your part. Otherwise, I will want to slug you next time I see you. For better or for worse, your Mom has gone out of her way to support you on the path you are now - oh yeah - NFL $60 mil. contract, of which she has asked nothing. And then, why would she? She did everything to ensure you stayed at Westlake, and sacrificed a lot just for her kids. Yet, she remained successful in her own right - admired by Republicans and Democrats alike, and well loved for all she has done for this city. My God, could any person with kids and a career given any more than she did? Her legal career has inspired many to follow in her footsteps of justice and fairness. Based on what she just went through - you know what I mean - either you are naive or venal; I can only hope the former. We all have problems with our parents; hopefully you are not one who have taken the opportunity to air dirty laundry a week before your Mom's election; an event she has worked hard for and deserves as all who know her and been influenced by her have reiterated again and again. She has always spoken so highly of you and your brother. No bad word has ever left her mouth about either of you. I can’t imagine a son who is so full of himself that he thinks his Mom, who is so well known in her own right, and whose influence has helped him succeed, would really believe that his Mom’s use his picture to show her pride in her son is used solely for her to win an election. What would you think if she didn’t acknowledge you at all? I am sure then, you’d be pissed that your Mom ignores you. I guess she can’t win. Too bad all of her sacrifices (and human deficiencies) have left you in such a bitter position. Or, was it the press? If so, apologize publicly. If not, seek psychiatric help. Those who have loved and watched you throughout your career, and seen your Mom's devotion and love towards you (misguided or not, as you might see it) would expect nothing less. Do you love seeing the Travis Co. Republican Party take advantage of this, and ask for her recusal from the race? If so, you have issues my son - my son of Austin, Westlake, and all we held dear in this town.
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11-01-2006 @ 1:00AM
Sydney said...
Drew - this better be some mistake you made in trusting the media. I hope this was leaked based upon some misguided earnestness on your part. Otherwise, I will want to slug you next time I see you. For better or for worse, your Mom has gone out of her way to support you on the path you are now - oh yeah - NFL $60 mil. contract, of which she has asked nothing. And then, why would she? She did everything to ensure you stayed at Westlake, and sacrificed a lot just for her kids. Yet, she remained successful in her own right - admired by Republicans and Democrats alike, and well loved for all she has done for this city. My God, could any person with kids and a career given any more than she did? Her legal career has inspired many to follow in her footsteps of justice and fairness. Based on what she just went through - you know what I mean - either you are naive or venal; I can only hope the former. We all have problems with our parents; hopefully you are not one who have taken the opportunity to air dirty laundry a week before your Mom's election; an event she has worked hard for and deserves as all who know her and been influenced by her have reiterated again and again. She has always spoken so highly of you and your brother. No bad word has ever left her mouth about either of you. I can’t imagine a son who is so full of himself that he thinks his Mom, who is so well known in her own right, and whose influence has helped him succeed, would really believe that his Mom’s use his picture to show her pride in her son is used solely for her to win an election. What would you think if she didn’t acknowledge you at all? I am sure then, you’d be pissed that your Mom ignores you. I guess she can’t win. Too bad all of her sacrifices (and human deficiencies) have left you in such a bitter position. Or, was it the press? If so, apologize publicly. If not, seek psychiatric help. Those who have loved and watched you throughout your career, and seen your Mom's devotion and love towards you (misguided or not, as you might see it) would expect nothing less. Do you love seeing the Travis Co. Republican Party take advantage of this, and ask for her recusal from the race? If so, you have issues my son - my son of Austin, Westlake, and all we held dear in this town.
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11-01-2006 @ 3:51AM
Gary said...
It appears to me that most have assumed that Drew Brees leaked the issue to the press. I am attorney, who has been involved in politics, indeed as a progressive Democrat, much like Mina Brees. I've seen the good, bad and downright ugly of politics. Having researched a bit of the campaign online, it appears that Mina Brees is in a tough political campaign for a Judgeship. The article does not say how the media got a hold of this issue, but is it possible that someone affiliated with the Mina Brees campaign leaked the issue to the press to get some free publicity for her campaign? While the substance of the article, i.e., that her son does not want his likeness used to advance her political ends, which is his right, could be used for or against her, the fact is that the issue has garnered national press and that fact alone could help with her name recognition and, ironically, advance the public knowledge that her son is indeed an NFL quarterback. And someone who fails to protect the use of his public image could lose the legal right to do so in the future, which is why most companies fiercely fight to protect their trademarks and the like.
Perhaps Drew Brees is an ungrateful son or perhaps he is protecting his legal rights to remain above the political fray. I would simply suggest that people keep an open mind before condemning one party or the other.
For instance, a cynic might suggest that comment #7, by "Sydney" was written by a supporter to get just the sympathy that a leak from Mina Bree's campaign might have hoped to attain. This is politics folks... be cynical and wary... very very wary.
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11-01-2006 @ 9:54PM
Dan O'Day said...
Threatening to sue your own mother? Come on! Life is too short!
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11-01-2006 @ 10:09AM
SA said...
I don't know why anyone here has a problem with him doing this. She's just using him for a campaign. What's the difference between her and any of these other idiot politician's. Not one person here would want there name and face used if they didn't want it to be. Just because it's his MOM, he's suppose to let her do what she wants!
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11-01-2006 @ 10:25AM
miked - ocala,fl said...
who cares if his mom uses his picture , if it wasn't for her he wouldn't even be here , and with all of the sacrifices she made , here's a guy that makes millions of dollars and he's not even really that good and he's whining about her using his picture - well there is one thing to be said about mina brees , she raised a whiny , selfish , egotistical crybaby .
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11-01-2006 @ 10:33AM
miked - ocala,fl said...
Who cares if she uses his name , if it wasn't for her , he wouldn't even be here , here this clown makes millions of dollars and he's not even that good , with all of the sacrifices mina brees made to raise her sons , it's really a shame that one of them is such a whiny egotistical crybaby - hey drew , go get your blanky and put your thumb back in your mouth
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11-01-2006 @ 11:40AM
Paul Burke said...
It seems clear that there are at least two people who have written (quite from their hearts) that Drew Brees has a lot more to be gratefull to his mother than to be ruthless and careless about how he goes about doing his acts of kindness that should be aimed at his mother rather than a law suit. Perhaps your mother and you don't see eye to eye on political issues, but if there were ever a time when we need leaders and people who can bring people together it is now. And here you are; a guy who is given a talent that few can even try out for, let alone make millions of dollars at. What is so bad about your mother that she cannot show her pride in you being a part of the Elite, The NFL. What is wrong with you? I only wish that I had a mother and father to grow up with me; who were sober enough to help me and guide me instead of being to drunk to help. According to the people who have written here, who seem to know you; your mother helped you become the man you are today. Don't listen to cut-throat sports-agents; if they are telling you to do this. This is about dignity and a real man doesn't throw his mother under the bus in a time of need. What the hell is wrong with you?
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11-01-2006 @ 11:40AM
Dale said...
You folks are overlooking a reasonable, legal reason for Drew's cease & desist letter to his Mom, to-wit: His name and likeness are commodities. Those who have purchased, or will in the future purchase, the right to use these commodities may well be in a position to take legal action against Drew if he fails to take action to prevent unauthorized uses.
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11-01-2006 @ 1:55PM
Roxy said...
I'm no lawyer, but isn't there something illegal about using a picture of an NFL player in uniform (past or present) as an advertisement without the written permission of the NFL???
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11-01-2006 @ 2:10PM
tag said...
Wow, I see about three of these that could be from Brees' mother.
I would assume that most of you don't know the real story or background. There has been more than one celebrity become estranged from their parents. Usually it is over money. I bet that is the root of this problem. There are always two sides to a story.
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11-01-2006 @ 2:11PM
Sherry said...
Drew- I have a daughter that rivals your ungratefulness. Is it just sports making the "brat" or just a choice to be that kind of person?
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11-01-2006 @ 2:31PM
Annoyed by ridiculous comments said...
Would y'all all please SHUT UP & find something worth commenting on. Im embarrased that I even read most of the comments because this is so stupid. Here is what's wrong with the American people...your life is so boring that you must dig into a well known celebrity's life and criticize some stupid story that should've been left out of the public eye anyway. There's not even enough information in this article to be commenting positive or negative anyway. 9 out of 10 times, this is what makes a small issue between two parties so gigantic. Shit talkers!! Oh and by the way (for all of you that think Brees sucks)have you seen the Saints' record lately?? They are at the top of their division. God knows when the last time that happened!! If this is about last weeks game, all players have bad weeks & it drives me insane when someone talks smack about crap they know nothing about. If it's not then shut up, cause this article was about Brees' and his mom, not about his talent in the NFL
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