Former Saints QB Drew Brees is a big favorite to all the #LSU guys. Brees coached today for Purdue as a interim assistant for his alma mater. pic.twitter.com/H9rjCEEOfi
Buy Saints Tickets— Josh Miller (@Jmillersports13) January 2, 2023
How cool is this? Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn’t get the result he wanted when his Purdue Boilermakers got run over by the LSU Tigers in a 63-7 finish during this year’s Citrus Bowl, but the future Pro Football Hall of Famer still made an impact on the next generation. Spectrum News 13’s Josh Miller caught up with Brees after the final whistle.
Brees stepped in as an interim assistant coach for Purdue after the Boilermakers lost a lot of help to the college football hiring cycle, including former head coach Jeff Brohm. And many LSU players sought Brees’ autograph after the game, mobbing him with whatever they had on hand: their gloves, their jerseys, even their towels. It’s not every day you get to meet a living legend, much less claim some bragging rights after a big bowl win.
“I’m gonna tell my kids this one day, you heard me? I beat Drew Brees, we beat Drew Brees,” grinned safety Joe Foucha, a New Orleans native from McDonogh 35 Senior High School. Many players on the field grew up watching Brees lead the Saints to the team’s brightest era of football, and several of them were in the crowd seeking Brees’ signature — guys like wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. (of Zachary, La.) and safety Greg Brooks Jr. (from Harvey, La.).
So while Brees’ turn as a coach may have not gone as hoped, he still has a great reputation among the next players dreaming of turning pro. It’s good to see his day — and theirs — ended on a high note. That was the case for Brees’ children, too, who petitioned LSU running back John Emery for photos and autographs after the game while decked out in Tigers gear (unlike their dad, still wearing his Purdue colors). WAFB 9’s Jacques Doucet captured the moment:
. @drewbrees kids getting postgame autographs from @LSUfootball running back John Emery. #LSU pic.twitter.com/STcNYMCpvm
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) January 3, 2023
