Drew Brees donates $1 million to Purdue football program
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is undoubtedly one of the best to ever play at Purdue, and on Friday, the school’s football program announced that it received a generous $1 million donation from the 14-year NFL veteran and his wife, Brittany (who also attended Purdue).
“We care so much about Purdue University," Brees said in a statement. “Purdue has meant so much to me, and it has provided so many things. From the education I received and playing for coach Joe Tiller, to winning a Big Ten championship and going to the Rose Bowl, to the relationships I was able to form with many of my teammates and meeting my beautiful wife ... we are so blessed and so thankful.
“We just want to show how much we believe in our university, in our football program, in our leadership and in the direction we are heading.”
The donation will be part of the effort to revitalize the school’s football program with the “Purdue Football Master Plan,” which is designed by athletic director Morgan Burke and head coach Darell Hazell. The plan covers five points: roster development, recruiting, fan engagement, university support and facilities. Plans are already in place to renovate Ross-Ade Stadium. The athletic department plans to unveil its other plans, which will all “be paid for by external support and internally generated funds,” in December.
Brees played for the Boilermakers from 1997 to 2000 and threw for 11,792 yards and 90 touchdowns – both Big Ten records. He also holds conference records for passing attempts (1,678), completions (1,026) and total offense (12,692). As a senior, Brees won the Maxwell Award, the Big Ten MVP and finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
“I am so proud to be a Boilermaker,” Brees said. “Every chance I get, I try to tell somebody about Purdue and my experience, whether it’s athletic, academic or just being a student. It was such a tremendous part of my life. I always want to share that experience with others and hope they will have that same sense of love and pride for the university that I do.”
The Brees’ previously donated $2 million to the school in 2007, which went toward an academic area used by student-athletes, which was renamed the Drew and Brittany Brees Student-Athlete Academic Center in their honor.
For more Purdue news, visit GoldandBlack.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
