Saints Super Bowl title QB Brees has signed more than 20,000 copies of his memoir, "Coming Back Stronger," since its July 6 release, writes the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Drew Brees after throwing a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey during the New Orleans Saints' 31-17 Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts on Feb. 7. By Rachel Whittaker
New Orleans, La. -- New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has signed more than 20,000 copies of his memoir, "Coming Back Stronger," for fans in Louisiana and around the country since the book's release July 6.
But on the final day of his signings Monday, Brees said he's focused on getting back on the field at New Orleans' training camp, which begins Friday with two practices open to the public at 8:50 a.m. and 4:20 p.m.
Brees said the book signings and his numerous other appearances have not interfered with his training to defend the Saints' Super Bowl title.
"Everything has been structured around my workout time. That has been priority No. 1," Brees said at his book signing at Octavia Books. "Everybody wants to see another great season, so we have to make sure we give them that, too. I am ready."
Octavia Books sold approximately 1,200 vouchers for the book to fans who arrived in droves to the Uptown bookstore. Octavia Books owner Tom Lowenburg said the crowd to meet Brees was easily the longest line the store has seen, topping signings by CNN personality Anderson Cooper and former LSU coach Nick Saban.
"This is the greatest number of books we've ever sold at one time," Lowenburg said. "And (Brees) is only here for an hour and a half. Just think if he could be here for three hours."
Octavia Books, the first bookstore in New Orleans to reopen after Hurricane Katrina, offered a unique lagniappe for fans who braved the humidity to obtain Brees' coveted signature -- free watermelon courtesy of Jack and Jake's, an organic market scheduled to open in New Orleans later this year.
Lowenburg and his wife, co-owner Judith Lafitte, spent the afternoon opening books at a rapid pace for Brees to sign, and Lowenburg distributed bookmarks to fans as they left the store.
"It's a whole different feeling here," Lowenburg said. "We know half the people coming through the line."
Brees has traveled to seven states on his book-signing tour, and he said it has been rewarding to experience the dedication of Saints fans and well-wishers at each location.
"You know the Who Dat Nation is represented everywhere," Brees said. "You always wonder how people will receive (the book), but it's just blown me away how motivating and inspiring it's been to people."
Brees said he has received gifts of all kinds from eager fans in line at bookstores, from paintings and pictures to notes and wedding invitations.
"We've been able to focus on the book for the last couple of weeks as well as training and preparing for the season," Brees said. "Once training camp starts though, it will be very much locked in and focused on how we can go in and win another championship."
Fans will have the opportunity to line up and await the release of another Brees item in August, as the Madden NFL 2011 video game with Brees on the cover goes on sale at midnight Aug. 10.
Brees has been giving away one free advance copy of the video game to the 99th person in line at each of his book signings, and he said the release of the game will be a great event in New Orleans.
"They're doing this big thing called 'Madden Gras' downtown," Brees said.