HBCU Legends

Drew Brees Announced FedEx Annual Awards Goes To 49ers, Says Purdy Has 'Mental Toughness' And HBCU Donations

Drew Brees announced the FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year and HBCU donations.

Kyle T. Mosley

HOUSTON — Drew Brees announced the FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year on HBCU Legends. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy won the FedEx Air Player of the Year honor, and the FedEx Ground Player of the Year recognition went to running back Christian McCaffrey.   

Over the past 20 years of FedEx bestowing the awards, it was the first time players from the same team won the awards. "I was fortunate to win this award four times my playing career. It's a tremendous honor," Drew Brees said.

On behalf of each winner, "they also get $20,000, that they get to allocate to the HBCU of their choice for scholarship programs for deserving students," Brees noted. 

Christian McCaffrey was named the AP 2023 Offensive Player of the Year at the NFL Honors Awards program on Thursday night in Las Vegas. He led the league with 1,459 rushing yards, over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, and 21 touchdowns in the 2023-24 season.

McCaffrey's teammate, Brock Purdy, is highly thought of by Drew Brees, who won Super Bowl LIV with the New Orleans Saints over the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, on Feb. 7, 2010. "Brock established himself as a guy who can not only execute that offense to perfection, but I think what we saw last week was he really played outside the system." Brees continued, "The comeback against the, the Lions, I think it just shows a lot of the fortitude and, I think, the mental toughness and just the belief in his team, and looks like it may be their time."

FedEx Supports HBCUs

FedEx has been an ardent supporter of HBCUs, from the FedEx Air & Ground Players Awards scholarships to the HBCU Scholarship of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Last season, FedEx Ground Player of the Year, Jonathan Taylor, gifted South Carolina State University a $20K donation. Mainly because of his relationship with former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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