How the NFL, Hall of Fame plan to handle Drew Brees' record breaking moment

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"I think this one is very, very special, and I think we want to, certainly from the Hall's perspective, we want to make sure that history stops for just a second to pay recognition to it," Hall of Fame President David Baker said.

Brees needs 201 yards to surpass Manning's record of 71,940. Brees has thrown for 201 or more yards in 11 straight games and 69 of his past 71 games, so he'll likely break it Monday night.

If or when Brees gets within 100 yards of the record, Baker will go down to the field. Then, if or when Brees breaks the mark, there will be a stoppage of play, giving the Saints a chance to honor Brees on the video boards and fans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to applaud the quarterback.

Whoever catches the record-setting pass will give the ball back to Brees, and he'll hand it to Baker, who will fly with it in his lap back to the Hall of Fame.

"It may be the longest pass he's ever completed. It'll go from New Orleans to Canton, Ohio," said Baker, who's traveling to and from the game with Hall of Fame Exhibits/Museum Services Vice President Saleem Choudhry. The two Hall of Fame officials also will collect Brees' uniform after the game and bring it to Canton.

After the first pause to recognize the record, the Saints will then play a 75-second video tribute from Manning at the next timeout.

If the Saints score a touchdown on the record-setting play, the celebration would happen before the point after try and the Manning video would play after the PAT.

That's the plan, at least.

There are, however, some contingency plans. If Brees breaks the record within the final 2 minutes of the second quarter or fourth quarter, there won't be a stoppage. The league also won't stop play if it would somehow provide one team with some kind of advantage or if the Saints are in their hurry-up offense.

If that were to happen, the acknowledgement would come at the next legitimate timeout, be it from a team or TV.

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