New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees today asked the New Orleans City Council to let him use an old house at 7621 Maple St., in the Uptown area, for a Jimmy John's sandwich shop.

"While I hope that we have a widely successful community business on Maple Street, what is more important to me is that we become a very successful community partner," Brees told the council.

Brees needed council approval because the site he wants to use is not zoned for fast food. 

Opponents complained the rules should be upheld even though it is Drew Brees asking for the exception.

"This is a fast food outlet, and it is in a B1 neighborhood," one neighbor complained.  "No, I guess they don't have hamburgers, but neither does Quiznos.  This is like Quiznos, it's like Subways."

The council sided with Brees and unanimously passed the proposal.

That came after Brees and supporters said that the shop will not be cooking anything on premises other than baking bread and intends to do much of its business by delivering food on bicycles to the surrounding area and university community.

Afterwards, Brees left the council chamber without addressing his contract situation with the Saints.  Surrounded by reporters, microphones and cameras, Brees whisked down the hall with his associates, paused long enough to deliver a smile for a city hall worker, climbed into a car, and was driven away.