Drew Bledsoe facts for kids
Bledsoe in 2012
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | February 14, 1972 Ellensburg, Washington, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Walla Walla (Walla Walla, Washington) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Washington State (1990–1992) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1993 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Drew McQueen Bledsoe (born February 14, 1972) is a former American football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. Most of his career was with the New England Patriots.
Drew played college football for Washington State. He was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in his junior year. The Patriots chose him as the very first pick in the 1993 NFL draft.
Bledsoe was a key player for the Patriots for nine seasons. He helped the team get much better. Under his leadership, the Patriots reached the playoffs four times. They also played in Super Bowl XXXI. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. In 1995, he was the youngest quarterback to play in the Pro Bowl.
In 2001, Drew suffered a serious injury. This led to his backup, Tom Brady, becoming the starting quarterback. Brady then led the Patriots to win their first Super Bowl championship. Even though Brady took over, Bledsoe is remembered for helping the Patriots rebuild. He also played an important role in their first Super Bowl win. He stepped in during the 2001 AFC Championship game when Brady was hurt.
After the Patriots, Drew played three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He made another Pro Bowl appearance there. He finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2011, he was added to the Patriots Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and High School
Drew Bledsoe grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He went to Walla Walla High School. He was a great athlete in football, basketball, and track. In football, he was named a first-team All-State player. This means he was one of the best players in the state.
His father was a football coach. Drew learned a lot about the game from him. He even got to meet professional players at his father's football camps.
College Football Career
Drew played college football at Washington State University for the Cougars. He became the starting quarterback during his first year. He quickly became the main player for the Cougars' offense.
In 1992, Drew led Washington State to a great season. They had a 9–3 record. They also won the Copper Bowl game. In that game, Drew threw for 476 yards and two touchdowns. He set new school records for passing yards in a game. He also set records for completions and passing yards in a season. Because of his amazing play, he was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.
After his junior year, Drew decided to leave college early. He entered the 1993 NFL draft. In his college career, he threw for 7,373 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Professional Football Career
New England Patriots: 1993–2001
The New England Patriots chose Drew Bledsoe as the very first player in the 1993 NFL Draft. He became their starting quarterback right away. In his first year, the Patriots improved from two wins to five wins. He threw for 2,494 yards and 15 touchdowns as a rookie.
In 1994, the Patriots were not doing well at first. They were losing a game to the Minnesota Vikings by a lot. But Drew led an amazing comeback! The Patriots won in overtime. In that game, Drew set NFL records for most passes completed (45) and most passes attempted (70) in one game. This win helped the Patriots turn their season around. They won their last six games and made the playoffs. Drew threw for 4,555 yards and 25 touchdowns that year. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl.
In 1996, Drew played very well again. He helped the Patriots reach the playoffs. They won the AFC Championship game. This meant they went to Super Bowl XXXI. They lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl. Drew was chosen to start in the Pro Bowl that season.
Drew continued to lead the Patriots to the playoffs in 1997 and 1998. In 1997, he had a career-high passer rating. He threw for 3,706 yards and 28 touchdowns. He earned his third Pro Bowl invitation. In 1998, he made history by throwing game-winning touchdown passes in the last 30 seconds of two games in a row.
In 2001, Drew signed a huge contract. It was worth $103 million over 10 years. But early in the 2001 season, he suffered a very serious injury to his chest. This injury meant he couldn't play. His backup, Tom Brady, took over as the starting quarterback.
Brady played very well and led the Patriots to the playoffs. Drew never got his starting job back because Brady was so successful. However, Drew still played a key role in the playoffs. In the AFC Championship Game, Brady got hurt. Drew came in and threw a touchdown pass. This helped the Patriots win the game and go to the Super Bowl. The Patriots won the Super Bowl with Brady as quarterback.
After that season, Drew was traded to the Buffalo Bills. Patriots fans were very thankful for all he did for the team. They cheered for him every time he came back to play against them.
Buffalo Bills: 2002–2004
Joining the Bills seemed to give Drew new energy in 2002. He had one of his best seasons ever. He threw for 4,359 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was chosen for his fourth Pro Bowl. In one game, he set a Bills team record with 463 passing yards. He led the Bills to an 8–8 record.
He continued to play well in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the Bills almost made the playoffs. But they lost their last game. After the 2004 season, the Bills released Drew. They wanted their new draft pick, J. P. Losman, to be the starter.
Dallas Cowboys: 2005–2006
Drew then signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was reunited with his former coach, Bill Parcells. Drew was meant to be the Cowboys' long-term quarterback.
In 2005, he threw for over 3,000 yards. This was the ninth time in his career he reached this mark. He led the Cowboys to a 9–7 record. This was a big improvement for the team.
However, in 2006, Drew's play became inconsistent. Six games into the season, he was replaced by Tony Romo. After the 2006 season, the Cowboys released Drew. He did not want to be a backup player. So, on April 11, 2007, Drew Bledsoe announced his retirement from the NFL.
Retirement and Legacy
When Drew retired, he was among the top quarterbacks in NFL history. He ranked fifth in pass attempts and completions. He was seventh in passing yards and thirteenth in touchdown passes.
On May 16, 2011, Patriots fans voted Drew into the Patriots Hall of Fame. He was officially honored in a ceremony on September 17, 2011.
In January 2018, Drew was named an honorary captain for the Patriots. This was for their AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Patriots owner Robert Kraft praised Drew for helping to rebuild the team. He said Drew gave fans hope and created many great memories. Drew presented the Lamar Hunt Trophy to Kraft after the Patriots won the game.
Personal Life
Drew Bledsoe's parents were schoolteachers. His father was also a football coach. Drew moved several times as a child. His family finally settled in Walla Walla, Washington.
Drew and his wife Maura live in Bend, Oregon. They have four children: sons Stuart, John, and Henry, and daughter Healy. Drew coached his sons Stuart and John in high school football. John even played college football at Washington State, just like his dad.
After retiring from football, Drew started a winery called Doubleback Winery. It is located in and around Walla Walla, Washington. The winery makes mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. His wines have received good reviews.
Drew also works with many groups that help others. He is involved in many good causes.
NFL Career Statistics (Highlights)
Drew Bledsoe played in 194 regular season games. He started 193 of them.
- He completed 3,839 passes out of 6,717 attempts.
- He threw for 44,611 passing yards.
- He threw 251 touchdowns and 206 interceptions.
- His career passer rating was 77.2.
- He led 31 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime.
- He holds the NFL record for most pass attempts in a single game (70).
- He also holds the record for most overtime touchdown passes (4).
Drew was a very durable player. He played in most of his team's games throughout his career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times: in 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2002.
Images for kids
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Bledsoe in 2012
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Bledsoe in 2001, his last season with the Patriots
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Bledsoe greeting family members of fallen Iraq War personnel before a game with the Buffalo Bills in 2003
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Bledsoe stretching before a game with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005
See also
- List of NFL quarterbacks who have posted a perfect passer rating
- List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
- List of most consecutive starts by a National Football League quarterback
