A Texas high school football legend returned to his alma mater on Friday night.
Westlake has become one of the more notable programs in the Lone Star State. In 1996, the Chaparrals won their first state title. Leading the charge was none other than senior quarterback Drew Brees.
The soon-to-be NFL Hall of Famer was back in Austin this week to have his jersey retired. He was honored on the field and delivered a fiery pregame speech. Brees is the first to have a jersey retired by the program.
Here’s some of what Drew Brees had to say Friday night as he gets his jersey retired tonight.
“I love Austin, Texas. And I love our Westlake Chaparrals.”
The Westlake alum speaks on what this community means to him⤵️ pic.twitter.com/JuK57YAlza
— Noah Gross (@noah_gross27) October 25, 2025
“I love Friday-night lights, I love Austin, Texas and I love our Westlake Chaparrals,” Brees said. “I’ve always felt that the opportunities that I had in football and beyond were a result of what started right here, being a part of this program, being coached by these men and having a chance to be brothers with all of the teammates here at Westlake High School.”
“One of the greatest accomplishments was winning a state championship right here in 1996 for this community.”
Westlake went unbeaten en route to that 5A Division-II state title over three decades ago. Brees threw for more than 3,500 yards that season. As a junior, he threw for almost 2,000 yards but had his season ended due to a knee injury. In his two years as a starter, Brees won 28 of 29 games, with one ending in a tie.
Brees of course signed with Purdue, set a slew of records across his four years in West Lafayette and was then selected in the second round by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft. He went on to play 20 years in the pros, making a name for himself with the New Orleans Saints. He was named the Super Bowl XLIV MVP in 2010 and remains second all-time in NFL career passing yards and touchdowns.
The presence of Brees unfortunately didn’t help Westlake (6-2) as it lost 31-10 on Friday night to rivals Lake Travis (8-0). The Chaps lost their six-game winning streak over the Cavaliers and saw its six-game winning streak this season come to an end. Westlake entered as the No. 13 team in Texas, while Lake Travis checked in at No. 6, per the Massey Ratings.
For Texas high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Lone Star State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Texas.