Drew Brees’ Mother Mina Brees Dies

New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, did not participate in the team’s “Black and Gold scrimmage” due to the death of his mother, Mina Brees. She died in Colorado at a friend’s home. The cause of death is unknown.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that Drew Brees’ brother, Marty Akins, who is also a lawyer and former University of Texas quarterback, said he was told Friday morning that Brees died in Colorado, where she was visiting her son Reid. Akins said he did not know the cause of her death.

“It’s my understanding that she was at her girlfriend’s house,” Akins said. “That’s all I know. I just know that she passed away, and I loved her very much.”

Drew and his mother had an estranged relationship since 2006 after she used his image without permission while campaigning for an office in Texas. She recently came under fire when she sent letters informing a number of prominent Austin and Houston restaurants that they had lost the legal right to use their business names — but could get them back for up to $25,000.