Brees pride running high at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) - There was already a lot of pride at Purdue because of Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees -- and there's even more now.

Wearing jersey number 15, Brees led Purdue to the Rose Bowl in 2001. That team's picture is enshrined behind glass now on campus.

Banners of Brees hang there as well, remembering that trip to the Rose Bowl, and his strong work as a student-athlete.

For many reasons, Purdue has not forgotten Brees. Purdue is also not far from the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

24-Hour News 8 asked Purdue employee Viki Taylor how she decided who she would root for.

"Oh, there was never a question as to who I was rooting for," she said.

Taylor works with a black and gold number nine jersey hanging behind her. Like many people here, she appreciates what Brees has done for the communities he has lived in.

Brees comes back to West Lafayette during the summer to volunteer for a summer camp for kids called PALS.

"He's not just a football player," said Tom Schott, assistant athletics director for communications at Purdue. "He believes very strongly in academics and giving back to the community. He did that here; he continues to do that here. He's obviously done that in New Orleans. And just a chance when he comes back to give something back to this community just beyond Purdue."

Brees has also helped the university financially; He and his wife Brittany donated $2,000,000 to the student athlete academic center that bears their name.

Even though there were plenty of blue jerseys on the Purdue campus last week, spokesperson Tom Schott says it wasn't hard for most of the university's Colts fans to feel good about the Saints' win.

"I think now that Drew won, everyone's just thrilled for him," Schott said.

"How can you not be? What he's done for New Orleans and what he did for Purdue -- he deserves that."