Foles and Brees from Same High School in Austin
Two talented quarterbacks meet on the field in Philadelphia on Saturday when the Philadelphia Eagles host the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the NFC Playoffs.
Nick Foles, the starting quarterback for the Eagles, has been chasing the New Orleans starting quarterback Drew Brees for most of his football life.
Foles went to the same Austin, Texas High School, as did Brees. Even though the team went to two state title games in 2000 and 2001, the 1996 team led by Brees still is the only state titleholder for the school.
In 2006, Foles was breaking school records set by Brees, while Brees was starting to become the franchise quarterback for New Orleans. When Foles was the Arizona Wildcats backup quarterback in 2009, Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory. Last season, while Foles looked on from the sideline as a rookie, Brees led the Saints to victory 28-13 over the Eagles.
Foles considers Brees a leader and says he makes throws very few other quarterbacks are able to. Foles also called Brees someone he looks up to for the example he makes both on the field and off the field.
This Saturday night, the opportunity finally presents itself for Foles to face off head to head with Brees. This will be just the second time in NFL history that two graduates from the same high school will play one another in a playoff game.
The last time and only time that happened was in 1974 when Woodlawn High graduates Joe Ferguson and Terry Bradshaw both from Shreveport, Louisiana met.
Foles admits he has always watched Brees with interest but from afar. He said he and Brees were from the same area and high school and that he has learned a great deal from watching Brees.
Brees has proven himself by winning a Super Bowl ring, but this will be the first time Foles will have a chance to prove himself.
Brees started in San Diego and went to New Orleans were there was little pressure for him to produce as the city was just going through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
However, for Foles in Philly, the pressure is constant. With Andy Reid leaving and the legacy of what could have been with Donovan McNabb and then Michael Vick, Philly fans have not given of themselves completely as of yet to either Foles or new head coach Chip Kelly.
This game could mean a great deal for Foles, but since he is in just his second season, he would still earn only $635,000 next season regardless, if he loses Saturday or leads the Eagles to a Super Bowl win.
This is good for the Eagles, as they overreacted in 2010, making Kevin Kolb their starter with a $12 million contract. He was replaced by the end of September that season by Michael Vick.
Foles and his Eagles defeated the Chicago Bears two weeks ago. The Bears are lead by Jay Cutler at quarterback who just signed a new multimillion-dollar contract for seven years.
By having a great game on Saturday and proving he can win in the postseason, will go a long way in establishing Foles as a legitimate star quarterback in the NFL in just his second season.
