The Sports Xchange

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his wife have committed $1 million to the Purdue football program.

The university announced Friday that Brees, a former Purdue All-America quarterback, and his wife, Brittany, made the donation. The couple also donated $2 million to the school in 2007.

“We care so much about Purdue University,” Brees said of their shared alma mater in a press release. “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.”

Brees played at Purdue from 1997-2000, setting Big Ten records for career passing yards and touchdowns that still stand 15 years later.

Brees holds Big Ten career records for passing attempts (1,678), completions (1,026), passing yards (11,792), passing touchdowns (90) and total offense (12,692). As a senior, Brees led the country in total offense, averaging 358.1 yards per game. He won the Maxwell Award and finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

“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.”

The Brees’ latest donation is part of the “Purdue Football Master Plan.” The plan was designed by athletic director Morgan Burke and head football coach Darrell Hazell to create a championship-caliber program.

“Drew certainly meant a lot to us during his four years on campus, and he has continued to mean a lot since he left,” Burke said in a statement. “This gift by Drew and Brittany not only demonstrates the generosity that has become a staple in their lives, but also affirms that someone who has ‘been there, done that’ both at Purdue and in the National Football League believes in what we are doing and wants to be part of it. On behalf of everyone involved with Purdue Athletics, I say thank you for everything they have done and continue to do to support our mission.”

Brittany Brees attended Purdue, earning a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and supervision in 2000. In addition to raising their four children, she runs the Brees Dream Foundation, which has contributed over $22 million since its inception in 2003.