NEW ORLEANS (WISH) — New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is opening up after his team’s heartbreaking loss in the NFC Championship game.

The Saints lost 26-23 to the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 20. The game was marred by a controversial no-call in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.

Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman leveled Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis with a helmet-to-helmet hit that should’ve been called pass interference.

The lack of a call forced the Saints to settle for a field goal. The Rams matched that field goal before winning in overtime with another field goal.

In an Instagram post on Monday morning, Brees opened up in a heartfelt message to Saints fans.

Brees posted:

I’ve spent this last week navigating the heartache and disappointment from the game. Some things within our control and some outside our control that caused us to fall short. So much of our motivation is to represent the Who Dat Nation with determination and resiliency. We want to play for you, fight for you, and win for you. You deserve that. 

The longer I play I realize that we truly are one heartbeat with our fans. Our success is your success. Our disappointment is your disappointment. We are inspired by one another to accomplish things far greater than what we could ever do on our own. 

Everything that has ever happened to this community, we have bonded together, galvanized and leaped forward every time. 

The frustration we feel now can be channeled in the same way. Pour that passion and emotion into your families and communities. Inspire others with your focus & determination and positive outlook. This will make us stronger, this will bond us tighter, this will be a source for our success in the future. 

There is no place like New Orleans. There is no community like ours. No fans like the Who Dat Nation. I refuse to let this hold us down. I refuse to let this create any negativity or resentment. I embrace the challenge. 

So keep your chin up, hold your head high, puff your chest out because WE are the Who Dat Nation and WE will always persevere.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I’ve spent this last week navigating the heartache and disappointment from the game. Some things within our control and some outside our control that caused us to fall short. So much of our motivation is to represent the Who Dat Nation with determination and resiliency. We want to play for you, fight for you, and win for you. You deserve that. The longer I play I realize that we truly are one heartbeat with our fans. Our success is your success. Our disappointment is your disappointment. We are inspired by one another to accomplish things far greater than what we could ever do on our own. Everything that has ever happened to this community, we have bonded together, galvanized and leaped forward every time. The frustration we feel now can be channeled in the same way. Pour that passion and emotion into your families and communities. Inspire others with your focus & determination and positive outlook. This will make us stronger, this will bond us tighter, this will be a source for our success in the future. There is no place like New Orleans. There is no community like ours. No fans like the Who Dat Nation. I refuse to let this hold us down. I refuse to let this create any negativity or resentment. I embrace the challenge. So keep your chin up, hold your head high, puff your chest out because WE are the Who Dat Nation and WE will always persevere.

A post shared by Drew Brees (@drewbrees) on