Nearly a year later, the 49ers still aren’t laughing about linebacker Ahmad Brooks’ ferocious hit on Drew Brees.

But the Saints quarterback is.

Brees, of course, was drilled by Brooks in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ 23-20 loss at New Orleans in 2013. The apparent game-sealing sack and lost fumble, however, was wiped out when Brooks was flagged for a controversial personal foul. The penalty sustained a drive that ended with a game-tying field goal with 2:11 left.

Brees, though, paid a physical price. Brooks’ shot left him with a bloody chin and photos of the hit show Brees’ neck assuming giraffe-like qualities. Brees laughed today when asked about his seemingly elastic neck.

“Yeah, people had a lot of fun with Photoshop with that,” Brees said. “I had the Go-Go Gadget neck. I got a good laugh out of it, too. I go on Twitter or someone shows me a picture or something like that … After the fact, the fact that you’re still alive and win the game, it’s all good.”

The play obviously came up because the 49ers visiting the Saints on Sunday. Brees said he hadn’t thought about it “for about 360 days” and remains thankful the damage wasn’t worse.

“I don’t think he hit me as hard as he could have,” Brees said. “He kind of caught me just right. My momentum was kind of going that way a little bit.”