Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Drew Brees earned FOX’s “Galloping Gobbler” award, annually presented to the MVP of the NFL’s second Thanksgiving Day game, after the Saints’ QB led a late scoring drive to carry New Orleans past Dallas, 30-27. Brees matched New England’s Tom Brady, who earlier in the day was presented with CBS’ Phil Simms Iron-Man Award for his effort in the Patriots’ victory over Detroit.
Brees connected with Lance Moore on 12-yard touchdown pass with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter to pull New Orleans ahead ofDallas — the Cowboys’ David Buehler missed a 59-yard field-goal attempt in the waning seconds, which would have sent the game to overtime.
Brees finished the Thanksgiving affair — New Orleans’ first-ever appearance on the holiday — with 352 yards passing, one touchdown and one interception. The interception nearly doomed the defending champs. With the Saints ahead 23-20 in the fourth quarter, a Brees pass deep down the middle ricocheted off the hands of tight end Jimmy Graham and directly to Dallas safetyGerald Sensabaugh. The Cowboys scored shortly after to take a 27-23 lead.
The “Galloping Gobbler” actually began as the “Turkey Leg” award in 1989, when former broadcaster John Madden would award an actual turkey leg to the Thanksgiving game MVP.
Brees became the sixth quarterback to win the award, the first since Brett Favre — who has thrice taken home the award — took the honor in 2007.
By FanHouse Staff