Drew Brees
Drew Brees was "randomly selected" for drug tests over the weekend after he said that he'd like to play in the NFL for another decade. Reuters

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was randomly drug tested by the NFL just days after he declared that he’d like to play in the league until he's 45.

Speaking on the late-career exploits of fellow quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, Brees, 36, told reporters at a Friday press conference that he hopes to play for another decade, NFL.com reported. “No doubt. There’s no question... I’m not getting ahead of myself, like it’s a pipe dream, at 45. I understand the challenges that come along with that,” he said.

“But why not? If I can stay healthy, and I’m having fun and playing at a high level, why wouldn’t I wanna do that? The biggest challenge is physically, the maintenance, the recovery, the way you train. You gotta hope that you can stay healthy, but why not?”

League officials must have taken notice of Brees’ comments and wondered how he planned to accomplish the feat, because the Saints quarterback revealed on Sunday that he was tested twice for performance-enhancing drugs over the weekend. “On Friday I said I thought I could play till age 45. I have been 'randomly' selected for drug tests the last 2 days. What’s up with that! Lol,” he wrote.

Pro football players rarely play into their forties, but Brees’ goal isn’t that farfetched. Former Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre remained effective until his retirement in 2010 at the age of 41.

Despite his age, Brees has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years. The veteran quarterback threw for over 5,000 yards and 39 touchdowns last season, and he’s already within the top five on the NFL’s all-time leaders lists for passing touchdowns and yards.