Drew Brees will be inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame on Thursday evening. It’s a moment of celebration for the greatest player in Saints history. Brees is the best quarterback in franchise history and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.

He may have started his career as a member of the Chargers, but Brees says he’s a Saints lifer. He still says “we” when talking casually about the team, and describes his intentions: “I still feel like I’m a New Orleans saint.” He is synonymous with the Saints after spearheading their greatest era alongside Sean Payton.

For Brees, “Every time he steps foot in the Dome, so many emotions come back.” Brees not only gained fame with the team, but also became a part of the city. The bond between the Saints and their city is deep. After 15 years at the helm, Brees is also woven into that fabric.

Brees added, “I think we have a reputation for having one of the largest fan bases in the country, and one of the best game day atmospheres in the country.” That reputation won’t be built without Brees. The fan base and game day atmosphere reached a broader reach and was enhanced by the continued success of the Brees-Payton era.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Drew Brees ahead of team HOF’s introduction: ‘I still feel like I’m a New Orleans Saint’