Drew Brees did way more than just write a $5 million check to Louisiana ... he's also doing the research to guarantee that money helps the state's battle against coronavirus the way he intended.
The New Orleans Saints quarterback tells TMZ ... it hurts his heart to see people losing their jobs and their livelihoods across the state and the nation -- so he and his wife Brittany knew they needed to do something in a time of such uncertainty.
As you know ... Drew and Brittany committed $5 million to the state.