Drew Brees is certainly enjoying retired life, and he also enjoyed his alma mater's run to the title game of this year's NCAA Tournament.
The Saints legend joined the March Madness pregame show with host Ernie Johnson and panelists Clark Kellogg, Jay Wright, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. Decked out in Purdue colors and a Boilermakers jersey, Brees was asked what his messages would be to the team both to hype them, but also to make sure the moment didn't get to them out in Pheonix.
“You win the game before you step on the court, and I felt we've won the game before we step on the court," Brees said. "With our preparation, with our mindset, the way we handled all the adversity. We belong here.”
It's far from the first time Brees was on hand to cheer on his Boilers, even serving as an assistant coach during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl bowl against LSU. Even during his playing days, Brees would make his way over to cheer on his former team, mostly on football Saturdays.
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The star power wasn't enough, though, with Purdue becoming the latest victim of the UConn wrecking ball in a 75-60 defeat. Despite a Herculean effort from star center Zach Edey with 37 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, the Huskies won their second consecutive title, and extended their own NCAA record by winning all 12 tournament games over that span by at least 13 points.