New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was selected as the 2010 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year on Tuesday.

Brees is the 57th recipient of the honor, joining the likes of Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe, Jack Nicklaus, Derek Jeter, John Wooden and Cal Ripken Jr.

It’s hard to argue against Brees when you consider what he’s done on and off the field. We all know he led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. But more importantly, Brees started The Brees Dream Foundation in 2003 and has worked with nearly 50 New Orleans schools and organizations to promote civic recovery.

“Drew’s accomplishments go far beyond delivering a Super Bowl title to a notoriously long-suffering franchise,” Sports Illustrated group editor Terry McDonell said. “He has been a driving force in a battered city’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and renew while simultaneously resurrecting his own career.”

Brees will be honored at a ceremony Tuesday night in New York and joined by past winners Bill Russell (’68), Billy Jean King (’72), Mike Eruzione (’80), Joe Montana (’90) and Curt Schilling (’01 and ’04).