Brees proud of Saints journey from Katrina

MIAMI (Reuters) - Five years ago, quarterback Drew Brees found himself a free agent with a straight choice -- the laid back Florida lifestyle of the Miami Dolphins or the challenge of a New Orleans still recovering from the devastation of hurricane Katrina.

The Texan''s choice has turned out to be inspired, not only in terms of his and his team''s performances on the field but also in the impact the city has had on the life of the 31-year-old.

"It''s been unbelievable, I said this from the beginning, I felt like it was a calling." Brees told reporters on Wednesday as he prepared for Sunday''s NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings.

"An opportunity to come here and not only being a part of the rebuilding of the organization and getting the team back to its winning ways, but to be part of the rebuilding of the city and the region. It''s been very special."

Hurricane Katrina hit America''s Gulf coast on August 29, 2005, killing more than 1,800 people, driving 2.16 million from their homes and causing $75 billion of damage.

"A lot of people watching were like me, Brees added. "You watched hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and New Orleans specifically on TV, and you just don''t understand the magnitude of what happened here and the devastation until you actually come down and see it with your own eyes."

"So as a free agent, when I came on my visit six months post Katrina, it was still very much in shambles.

"Everybody was just trying to get their lives back together and rebuild their homes, figure out where their kids are going to go to school. Getting back to work and all those things. Many doubts."

The Superdome roofed stadium that is home to the Saints and has hosted six Super Bowls temporarily became a shelter for those left with nowhere else to turn during Katrina and only re-opened a year after the hurricane.

"HOMELESS PERIOD"

During that year the Saints had to play at other venues outside the area and it was in the middle of that ''homeless period'' that Brees had to decide whether to join.