Drew Bledsoe Retirement In ESPN Feature

ESPN has an online feature detailing Ex Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe's retirement from the NFL and his entry into the Walla Walla Wine Market.

 Of course, Bledsoe, who starred for both the Wa-Hi Blue Devils and the Washington State Cougars is no doubt the most famous athlete to come out of my hometown.

He was one of the  top recruits in the nation upon his high school graduation and after an incredible college career, was number one draft pick for the New England Patriots.  He could have easily become a Seahawk as the two teams were the NFL's worst.  A few decades later, the Seahawks and Patriots would meet in the Super Bowl, but Bledsoe was long into retirement by then. 

We visited Bledsoe's downtown Walla Walla tasting room not long ago. 

You can find the Bledsoe feature by clicking here. 

Bledsoe Appears On Gameday

Former WSU, a native of Walla Walla, appeared on ESPN's Gameday

Drew Bledsoe Son John Committs To WSU

 

My, time does fly.  I remember clearly the excitement when Drew Bledsoe, who quarterbacked at my alma matter Walla Walla High School, was considered the state's number one high school recruit.  Now Drew's son, John is making news by passing up a scholarship from Northern Arizona U to attempt to walk on to  the Washington State Cougar football program.
 Drew, of course, had a stellar career with the Cougs, going on to become the number one pick in the 1993 NFL draft.   Bledsoe began to help guide the beginning of the Patriots rise to become one of the NFL's storied franchises.
John Bledsoe, Drew's second son, was quarterback at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon.

Star Walla Walla High School Athlete Made NFL

Wa-Hi Blue Devil graduate Dean Derby went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, then wrapped up his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He was a defensive back.
  He graduated in the same class as my mother and my uncle.  I met him at my mom's class reunion picnic in 1973.  Like fellow Wa-Hi graduate and NFL great Drew Bledsoe, Derby operates a winery in Walla Walla.

1992 Seahawks Vs Patriots: A Different Battle

In the spirit of Throwback Thursday, in 1992, The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots were involved in a different battle.  For number 1 pick in the NFL Draft.  The Pats were ever so slightly worst and were number 1 pick--they chose WSU quarterback Drew Bledsoe (above).  The Seahawks picked quarterback Rick Mirer from Notre Dame, who the following season, started better than Bledsoe, but soon was unable to stay at the level needed to QB in the NFL. Bledsoe, a native of Walla Walla, was instrumental in building the Patriots into one of the NFL's greatest franchises. 
Both teams are now considered the best in the league.

Great Feature On Wa-Hi Grad Drew Bledsoe

Thank you to my brother Steve for this feature on Walla Walla's Drew Bledsoe. After a stellar pro career, Drew is excelling in another field, Wine making. His tasting room is in Downtown Walla Walla.

Labor Day Weekend In Walla Walla III

The tasting room for Doubleback Winery,has a very unusual design.  All of the signage is inside the store, visable through the picture window.  Doubleback is the brand created by retired NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, arguably the best athlete to come out of the region.  Bledsoe is a graduate of Walla Walla High School and Washington State University.  He helped transform the New England Patriots from one of the worst organization in professional sports into one of the best.  He is a member of the Patriots Hall Of Fame.
The tasting room is available by appointment only.  It is located at the 3 way intersection of Palouse, Boyer, and Main in Downtown Walla Walla.

Drew Bledsoe Hangs Up Pads For Good

After 14 years in the National Football League, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Drew Bledsoe is calling it quits. Bledsoe was the number one pick overall by the New England Patriots and saw them go from one of the worst organizations in the NFL to one of the best. Bledsoe guided the Patriots to the AFC championship in 1996, but lost the Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers. He was knocked out of the starting job by a chest injury in 2001 by Tom Brady who lead the Patriots that season to their first Superbowl victory.

He then played 3 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, setting 10 team passing records. He finished his last two seasons with the Cowboys, losing his starting job halfway through last season to Tony Romo.

Bledsoe finishes his career 7th in alltime passing yards, 13th in touchdowns passes, and 5 in completions for NFL quarterbacks.

Bledsoe graduated from Walla Walla High School where he excelled in both football and basketball. He was the state's top recruit when went to Washington State University, becoming the starting quarterback in his freshman season.