Netflix Releases Highly Anticipated Documentary on Drew Brees Titled “THE UNDERDOG,” Set to Premiere on the 25th
By Sports Media Insider | April 6, 2025
In a move that has both sports enthusiasts and documentary fans buzzing with excitement, Netflix has officially announced the upcoming release of its latest original sports documentary, THE UNDERDOG, spotlighting none other than NFL legend Drew Brees.
The film is set to premiere globally on April 25th and will chronicle the life, career, and legacy of one of football’s most revered quarterbacks. This emotionally-charged and inspirational piece is expected to resonate not only with fans of American football but with anyone who has ever fought against the odds to pursue greatness.
A Career Defined by Grit and Determination
From the moment Drew Brees stepped onto a football field, he was defying expectations. Considered too short to play quarterback at the highest level, Brees didn’t receive the same attention as many of his peers during his high school and early college years.
Despite being overlooked by larger programs, Brees committed to Purdue University, where he would go on to rewrite the school’s record books and become one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Big Ten history.
Still, when the 2001 NFL Draft rolled around, Brees was passed over by teams looking for taller, stronger-armed quarterbacks. Eventually selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round, Brees’ journey in the NFL got off to a rocky start. Questions about his arm strength and consistency continued to loom large, and just when it seemed like he was turning a corner, a devastating shoulder injury in 2005 nearly ended his career.
But as the documentary powerfully captures, this setback became a turning point.
The Heart of the Story: New Orleans and Redemption
THE UNDERDOG dives deep into the moment that redefined Brees’ life and career: his decision to sign with the New Orleans Saints in 2006. At the time, the Saints were a struggling franchise and the city of New Orleans was still reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Brees, unwanted by most teams due to his injury, found a home in the city that needed hope as much as he did.
The film paints an intimate portrait of Brees’ arrival in New Orleans—a city ravaged, broken, and forgotten by many. Interviews with city officials, teammates, and residents reveal how the partnership between Brees and the city became more than just football. It was about redemption, community, and belief in something bigger than oneself.
Through never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, viewers witness how Brees became not only the Saints’ all-time passing leader but a symbol of resilience and strength for the entire Gulf Coast region.
His leadership culminated in a storybook Super Bowl victory in 2010, when the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts to capture their first and only Lombardi Trophy. That championship wasn’t just a win for the team—it was a win for every resident of New Orleans who had endured so much.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting “THE UNDERDOG”
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Ava Belmont and produced by Netflix Sports Originals, THE UNDERDOG has been in development for nearly three years. Belmont, known for her powerful work on Race for Glory: The Jackie Robinson Story and Breaking the Ice, brings her unique storytelling lens to Brees’ journey.
In a recent press conference, Belmont explained why Brees was the perfect subject for this project.
“What drew us to Drew’s story was the universal theme of perseverance. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest. He was doubted, injured, and told no over and over again. But he kept showing up. He kept believing. That’s the kind of story that transcends sports.”
The documentary includes extensive interviews with Brees himself, his wife Brittany, former teammates such as Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, and Jonathan Vilma, and coaches including Sean Payton and Nick Saban.
It also features appearances from high-profile fans and commentators like Peyton Manning, Michael Strahan, and Erin Andrews, each of whom gives their take on what made Brees such a transcendent figure in the NFL.
A Deep Dive Into the Man Behind the Helmet
What sets THE UNDERDOG apart is its commitment to portraying Drew Brees not just as an athlete, but as a husband, father, philanthropist, and human being.
The film spends considerable time exploring Brees’ off-the-field endeavors, including his Brees Dream Foundation, which has raised tens of millions of dollars for cancer patients and communities in need.
Brittany Brees plays a pivotal role in the documentary, offering rare insight into the challenges and triumphs the family experienced together.
“Drew gave everything to football, but he never let it define who he was,” Brittany says in one touching interview. “He was always Dad to our kids, always a partner to me, even during the toughest times.”
One particularly poignant segment focuses on the night after the Saints’ Super Bowl win. In a quiet, never-before-revealed moment captured on a home video, Brees holds his infant son in his arms on the field of Miami’s Sun Life Stadium, whispering, “We did it, buddy.” It’s moments like these that make the film feel deeply personal and relatable.
The Emotional Core: Injury, Recovery, and the Final Chapter
Brees’ longevity in the NFL—playing 20 seasons—is rare. But the documentary doesn’t shy away from the pain and difficulty that came with that endurance.
In a raw sequence, viewers see Brees confronting his many injuries, including torn ligaments, fractured ribs, and the brutal toll the game took on his body. The documentary also addresses the heartbreaking end to his career in 2020, when he retired after a tough playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What’s moving is how the film treats that moment not as an ending, but as a new beginning. Cameras follow Brees as he transitions into broadcasting, fatherhood, and mentorship, all while reflecting on the legacy he leaves behind.
“If I could tell my younger self anything,” Brees says in the closing scene, “it would be this: keep going. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up every day, doing the work, and never forgetting where you came from. That’s what makes an underdog dangerous.”
Social Media Buzz and Fan Anticipation
The announcement of THE UNDERDOG has set social media ablaze. NFL fans, New Orleans residents, and sports celebrities alike have taken to platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok to share their anticipation.
Hashtags like #TheUnderdogNetflix, #DrewBreesDoc, and #SaintsLegend have begun trending, with current NFL players such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Alvin Kamara expressing excitement over the upcoming release.
Kamara tweeted,
“This is gonna be something special. Can’t wait to see my brother Drew get the flowers he deserves. #TheUnderdog”
Netflix has also released an emotional two-minute trailer that has already amassed over 10 million views within 48 hours of its drop. The trailer, set to an original score by Hans Zimmer, features a montage of Brees’ highlights interspersed with emotional interviews and scenes of New Orleans during its post-Katrina recovery.
A Story for the Ages
In a world increasingly dominated by highlight reels and viral moments, THE UNDERDOG reminds us that true greatness is often found in quiet perseverance. Drew Brees’ story is one of humility, heart, and hope—an ode to those who never stop believing, even when the odds are stacked high.
Whether you’re a Saints fan, a lover of football, or simply someone in need of a little inspiration, this documentary is poised to leave a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
Netflix has proven once again that it knows how to tap into the emotional heartbeat of sports. Following the success of similar documentaries such as Quarterback, The Last Dance, and Untold, THE UNDERDOG stands to be a landmark moment in sports storytelling. It celebrates not just a football career, but a life lived with passion, purpose, and an unwavering belief in what’s possible.
As the world prepares to stream the film on April 25th, one thing is clear—Drew Brees may have entered the NFL as an underdog, but he’s leaving the world stage as nothing short of a legend.
Coming to Netflix on April 25th — THE UNDERDOG: The Drew Brees Story
Mark your calendars. Get your tissues. And prepare to be inspired.
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