Drew Bledsoe is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He was born on February 14, 1972, in Ellensburg, Washington, and attended Washington State University, where he played college football.
Bledsoe was selected as the first overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL Draft. He quickly became the starting quarterback for the team and led them to the playoffs in his second season. In 1996, he set an NFL record for most pass attempts in a season with 691.
Bledsoe continued to have success with the Patriots, leading them to the Super Bowl in 1997 and earning Pro Bowl honors three times. However, in 2001, he suffered a serious injury and was replaced by backup quarterback Tom Brady. Despite being healthy again, Bledsoe remained on the bench for the rest of the season as Brady led the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory.
After the season, Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he played for three seasons. He then spent one season with the Dallas Cowboys before retiring in 2007.
Throughout his career, Bledsoe was known for his strong arm and ability to make deep throws. He finished his career with 44,611 passing yards and 251 touchdowns, ranking him among the top 25 quarterbacks in NFL history in both categories.
Bledsoe was also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of children's health and education. He founded the Drew Bledsoe Foundation in 1996, which has raised millions of dollars for various causes.
In 2011, Bledsoe was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, and his number 11 jersey was retired by the team. He currently lives in Bend, Oregon, where he owns a winery and is involved in various business ventures.
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