Brees discussing leadership during April 5 UC event

Super Bowl champion and MVP Drew Brees will be the keynote speaker at the University of the Cumberlands annualExcellence in Leadership Series event, sponsored by Forcht Group of Kentucky.

University of the Cumberlands is pleased to announce Super Bowl champion and MVP Drew Brees as the keynote speaker for the University’s annual Excellence in Leadership Series event, sponsored by Forcht Group of Kentucky.

“Drew Brees has proven himself as a leader both on and off the field,” said University of the Cumberlands President Dr. Larry Cockrum. “His accomplishments as an athlete and the character he has shown through his commitment to community service are inspirational. We are pleased to offer our students, and the community, the opportunity to hear what Brees has learned through his experiences. It is my hope that we may implement those lessons in leadership in our own daily lives.”

The 2009 Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback for the New Orleans Saints was expected to be the keynote speaker at the university in 2020, but his appearance was canceled due to the pandemic.

In his two-decade professional football career, Brees made 13 Pro Bowls while being named 2004 Comeback Player of the Year, 2006 All-Pro Team, 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, 2008 and 2011 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Super Bowl XLIV Champion and MVP.

Off the field, he and his wife, Brittany, established the Brees Dream Foundation in 2003 and since then have contributed over $33,000,000 to help improve the quality of life for cancer patients and provide care, education and opportunities for children and families in need. In July 2020, the couple donated $5 million through the foundation in a partnership with Ochsner Health System to help build healthcare centers in Louisiana. Brees has also proudly participated in five USO trips visiting Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Turkey, Djibouti, Dubai, Okinawa, and Guantanamo Bay.

Brees retired from the NFL in March 2021. He is now a broadcaster with NBC Sports.

Brees appearance is part of the university’s annual lecture series.

The Forcht Group of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Leadership founders Dr. Terry and Dr. Marion Forcht provided the endowment that allowed the series to be possible.

The purpose of theCenter, founded in 2006, is to provide programs and activities that enhance the development of leadership, character and good citizenship.

Previous speakers at the Excellence in Leadership Series include Roy Moore, Zell Miller, Stephen Covey, Ben Stein, Karl Rove, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Charles Krauthammer, Dr. Ben Carson, Fred Thompson, Dr. William “Will” Franklin Graham IV, the grandson of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham, and Shaquille O’Neal, Terry Bradshaw and Laila Ali.

Brees is expected to speak at the university beginning at 7 p.m on Tuesday, April 5.

Community members will be able to reserve tickets beginning March 8 at ucumberlands.edu/drewbrees.

Tickets will be free, but are required upon entry.