Former Purdue star Drew Brees returned to motivate his old team, and his pregame speech is a must-watch.
The New Orleans Saints are off this weekend, so former Purdue star Drew Brees returned to his alma mater to watch the Boilermakers take on Big Ten rival Nebraska in West Lafayette. Purdue entered the game at just 2-5 on the season, but Brees urged the team before the game to create a defining moment for their season and start a streak on Saturday against the Cornhuskers.
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#PlayForEachOther @drewbrees pic.twitter.com/2g5Ydm0D8p
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) November 2, 2019
“This is what I have to say about today, guys. A streak, a run, has to start with one day, with one game. Every season is full of defining moments, and you never know when those defining moments will happen. So I would say why not today? Why can’t today be one of those defining moments?
And it’s going to take everybody, and you don’t know what play it’s going to be, or what moment, or what circumstance throughout the course of that game. But today can be a defining moment for you and this team for this season, and the way it will carry you on for the rest of your career here and what you do beyond.”
Brees then went around the room and addresses each position group, setting their objectives for the day.
“So as I go around the room here… DBs, where’s my DBs? Man, you guys got to play with swagger today. I’ve never met good DBs that didn’t go out there with ultimate confidence. Now, me, as a quarterback, I’m trying to attack you guys at all times. If I complete a ball in front of you, you better get up and say ‘man you got lucky. Come at me again.’ Swagger, DBs, that’s what I want to see.
Linebackers, hit somebody, man! You want to get this team fired up? You want to create a defining moment? Hit somebody!
Wide receivers, man, make that play. We need you to make that big catch across the middle. We need you to make that big first down catch. Make it, baby, because we’re coming at you.
Running backs, man, I love you boys. You’ve got to block, you’ve go to catch, you’ve got to run, you’ve got to tote the rock. Let’s see it today.
QBs, we throw darts, man. Balls don’t touch the ground. QBs, balls don’t touch the ground.
Tight ends, maybe the best athletes on the field. We ask you to do everything. Toughness. You guys epitomize it. Let’s see it.
O-Line, you control the game. O-Line, you control the game! All times!
D-Ends, I would say I fear you guys. Make them fear you. Make them fear you today.
D-Tackles, man, you hold strong. You hold the fort down. That’s your job.
Every time you step on the field, you have to play this game with energy, emotion and excitement. One play at a time, because you don’t know what play is going to be the most important play of the game. Will be the defining moment of the game, and maybe for your season, and maybe for your run, to start your streak.
And the most important thing: play for each other. Look at the brother next to you, man, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what you love most about this game. That’s what I appreciate most about this game.”
Purdue responded and won a thriller, scoring a 9-yard rushing touchdown with 1:08 remaining in the game to take a late lead for a 31-27 win.
