Tyrann Mathieu may be playing for the Kansas City Chiefs now, but as a New Orleans native, he certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots and the athletes who made an impact on him and the city.

One of those athletes is New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Mathieu took the time to salute Brees following the Saints’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round on Sunday, which may have been the legendary quarterback's final game:

The 28-year-old Mathieu attended St. Augustine High School and went on to study and play for LSU in college. He was able to clearly put into words how much the 42-year-old Brees has meant to the city since he joined the Saints in 2006. Brees, a 13-time Pro Bowler, helped change the Saints’ fortunes, leading the team to nine playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory.

Brees' arrival to the city clearly made an impact on the safety, who said that Brees gave him and other residents life and described him as being close to perfect. The veteran signal-caller’s potential final season, however, just came to an end against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, who defeated New Orleans 30-20 to arrange a meeting with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

Mathieu, meanwhile, helped Kansas City defeat the Cleveland Browns in the Divisional Round, 22-17. The Chiefs' dreams of repeating as Super Bowl champs stayed alive despite a concussion for Patrick Mahomes, which knocked the star out in the second half. Chad Henne played hero after nearly throwing the game away.

Even as Mathieu tries to help the Chiefs win another championship, his heart belongs in New Orleans. He hasn’t forgotten Brees' impact in the city over his Hall of Fame career and will always appreciate it.