In a year filled with blockbuster releases and buzzy documentaries, Netflix is shining a spotlight on one of football’s most revered underdog stories. “The Underdog,” a deeply moving and inspirational documentary chronicling the life and career of legendary quarterback Drew Brees, finally arrives on the streaming platform April 25. For sports fans, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated, this is the kind of content that stirs the soul.
Drew Brees’ journey to NFL greatness didn’t follow the traditional path. He wasn’t the prototypical quarterback — not in stature, not in pedigree, not in early expectations. But through relentless determination, unshakable work ethic, and unyielding belief in himself, Brees carved out a legacy that places him among the best to ever play the game. “The Underdog” captures this journey in rich detail, blending archival footage, behind-the-scenes access, and intimate interviews with those closest to him. It’s more than a sports documentary — it’s a celebration of resilience.
The opening scenes take viewers back to Austin, Texas, where a young Brees first discovered football. Born into a family of athletes, expectations were always high, but Brees faced doubts from the beginning. His relatively short height for a quarterback, combined with early injuries in high school, led many scouts to write him off as a long shot. But Brees wasn’t fueled by bitterness. He was driven by belief — in the game, in the process, and in himself.
Narrated in part by Brees himself, the documentary offers insight into how he turned early skepticism into fuel. Interviews with former high school coaches highlight his tenacity. Footage from his time at Westlake High School — where he eventually led his team to a state championship — marks the first of many chapters where Brees proved people wrong.
His transition to college football offers one of the film’s most compelling arcs. Recruited by few major programs, Brees chose Purdue — a school not traditionally known as a football powerhouse — because they believed in him when others wouldn’t. “The Underdog” spends considerable time on his Purdue years, showing how Brees helped transform the program and bring it to national prominence. His decision to stay all four years, despite opportunities to leave early, reflected a loyalty and grit that would define his career.
Interviews with former Purdue coach Joe Tiller and teammates illuminate how Brees not only elevated their play but shifted the entire culture of the team. Highlights from Big Ten clashes, locker room pep talks, and academic challenges paint a fuller picture of a student-athlete determined to excel in all facets of life. The documentary smartly interweaves these moments with broader cultural snapshots of the early 2000s, grounding Brees’ rise within the context of a changing football landscape.
The NFL Draft segment is particularly powerful. Projected by some to be a late-round pick or backup at best, Brees fell to the second round, selected 32nd overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2001. The footage of draft day — Brees sitting with family, uncertain of his future — contrasts poignantly with the fanfare that typically accompanies top quarterback picks. But as “The Underdog” reminds us, Brees never needed headlines. He just needed the opportunity.
His early years in San Diego were turbulent. Competition with Doug Flutie, a near-career-ending shoulder injury, and the eventual drafting of Philip Rivers all contributed to an environment of uncertainty. Yet Brees never wavered. The documentary reveals his meticulous recovery process after the shoulder injury that nearly ended his career. Orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and even his wife, Brittany, offer perspectives on the grueling road back — a journey many doubted he could complete. And then, of course, came New Orleans.
If Brees’ San Diego years were about survival, his New Orleans era was about legacy. Signed by the Saints in 2006, Brees arrived in a city still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. New Orleans needed rebuilding. So did Brees. Together, they found redemption.
“The Underdog” devotes a significant portion of time to the cultural and emotional connection between Brees and New Orleans. Local journalists, community leaders, and even longtime Saints fans share what his presence meant to the city. It wasn’t just about football — it was about hope. The emotional weight of that partnership culminated in the 2009 season, when Brees led the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. Footage from that game, including Brees hoisting his infant son into the air post-game, is enough to stir tears even from casual fans.
But the documentary doesn’t shy away from complexity. It addresses Brees’ struggles in later years — the playoff heartbreaks, the public controversies, and the burden of aging in a league that glorifies youth. His resilience during these times, especially his willingness to listen, learn, and evolve, is portrayed with honesty. “The Underdog” doesn’t seek to lionize Brees as flawless, but rather, as a man constantly striving to be better — on the field, in his community, and in his personal life.
Former teammates like Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, and Jonathan Vilma offer heartfelt reflections on what made Brees special. Not just his statistical brilliance — though that’s thoroughly covered with montages of record-breaking passes and game-winning drives — but his leadership. One story, told by a young receiver, recalls Brees staying after practice for an hour to help him perfect a route. Not because he had to, but because that’s who he was.
Director Ava Sullivan, known for her work on sports and culture documentaries, brings a masterful touch to the storytelling. Her direction ensures that while football remains central, the human element is never lost. Brees’ family life, charitable efforts, and spiritual journey are woven seamlessly throughout the film, making it relatable far beyond the confines of the gridiron.
Netflix’s decision to greenlight this project speaks to the platform’s growing interest in character-driven sports stories. In a landscape filled with flash, Brees’ story stands out because it’s real. He wasn’t born into superstardom. He built it, brick by brick. And in doing so, he inspired millions — not just in New Orleans or among football fans, but among anyone who’s ever faced long odds and kept going anyway.
For viewers, “The Underdog” offers more than nostalgia. It’s a mirror. It reminds us that greatness isn’t always born; sometimes it’s forged in failure, in perseverance, in the quiet moments of self-doubt that are overcome through sheer will. Brees may have retired, but his story is far from over. In many ways, it’s just beginning — not as a quarterback, but as a father, philanthropist, and mentor.
As the final credits roll, viewers are left with a montage of fan letters, community clips, and youth football players emulating Brees’ signature pre-snap routine. The closing narration, delivered in Brees’ unmistakable voice, serves as a rallying cry for every kid who’s been told they’re not tall enough, not fast enough, not good enough. His message is simple but profound: “You don’t have to be perfect to be great. You just have to keep going.”
In a world hungry for positive stories and role models, “The Underdog” delivers exactly what we need. It’s not just about football. It’s about heart. It’s about grit. It’s about one man’s journey from overlooked to unforgettable — and the city, the people, and the purpose that helped him along the way.
Whether you’re a Saints fanatic, a diehard Purdue Boilermaker, or simply someone who loves a good redemption arc, “The Underdog” is appointment viewing. It reminds us that with belief, work, and unwavering faith, the impossible becomes possible. Drew Brees may have always been an underdog. But now, thanks to this masterful documentary, his legacy is forever cemented as a champion of more than just the game.
