Drew Brees receives his gold jacket in one of Hall of Fame weekend’s biggest moments

CANTON, Ohio (WVUE) - Drew Brees spent 15 seasons in black and gold. Friday night, he got the gold jacket.

Brees received his Pro Football Hall of Fame gold jacket during one of the signature events of enshrinement weekend, putting another symbol on a career that will officially take its place in Canton on Saturday.

The dinner began at 5 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. CT, at the Canton Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the event began with cocktails, followed by dinner, before members of the Class of 2026 were welcomed by thousands of guests and returning Hall of Famers.

Brees received his jacket alongside fellow Class of 2026 members Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri.

The gold jacket is one of three iconic symbols representing membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The others are the bronze bust unveiled during enshrinement weekend and the Ring of Excellence presented to Hall of Famers afterward.

For Brees, Friday night represented another step in a week he has described as a chance to reflect on the people who helped him reach Canton.

“The way I really look at it is this is my opportunity to convey my appreciation and gratitude to so many of the people, the places that were a part of this journey,” Brees said Thursday.

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Brees started Friday at a Raising Cane’s near the Hall of Fame, where he worked as a cashier and at the drive-thru window while meeting fans. He even served other Saints Pro Football Hall of Famers who stopped by.

From there, Brees joined members of the Class of 2026 and returning Hall of Famers for a walk near the Hall of Fame and the traditional group photo.

Among the former Saints Hall of Famers gathered with Brees were Morten Andersen, Rickey Jackson and Willie Roaf. Saints fans watching nearby broke into a “Who Dat” chant as the group assembled.

For Brees, seeing more Saints represented in Canton carries meaning that goes back nearly two decades.

He recalled visiting the Hall of Fame during his playing career and noticing how few Saints were represented.

“I remember us, you know, going through and getting a tour of the Hall of Fame,” Brees said. “That was one of the things that was evident was Saints were not well represented.”

Brees said that realization became motivation.

“By the time we’re done here, like we’re going to have, we’re going to have Saints in the Hall of Fame,” Brees recalled. “There’s guys that deserve to be in here. We’re going to make sure they get in.”

Nearly 20 years later, Brees is preparing to join them.

The crowds in Canton also are growing as his enshrinement approaches. Lines formed outside the Pro Football Hall of Fame Friday as more Saints fans arrived wearing black and gold.

Friday night brings one of the most visible symbols of Brees’ place among football’s greats.

The Gold Jacket Dinner comes less than 24 hours before Brees takes the stage at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Saturday’s Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony is scheduled to begin at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT.

More: How to watch Drew Brees enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday

Former Saints coach Sean Payton will present Brees before the quarterback delivers his enshrinement speech.

Brees has said there is a 99.9% chance he cries during that speech.

He will become the first Saints player selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

But first comes the jacket.

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