When Drew Brees heard a 1930s-era Purdue jersey worn by John Wooden was being sold at auction, he saw an opportunity to help his alma mater showcase its ties to a man most known for winning 10 NCAA men's basketball titles as UCLA's coach.
Brees says he paid $264,000 to win a late-hour bidding war for the jersey in mid-May and will allow Purdue to display it at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana.
"I had never seen any Purdue related in regards to memorabilia ever from John Wooden," the New Orleans Saints quarterback said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.