Indianapolis ? Peyton Manning grew up in New Orleans, the favorite son in a city where his father, Archie, was considered royalty.

Drew Brees grew up in Texas, an overlooked high school recruit who eventually resurrected Purdue’s image as Quarterback U.

Now the New Orleans native and the Purdue favorite have changed places. When the NFL season kicks off tonight, Manning will be Indiana’s reigning king while Brees returns to his former college state as the bright hope for a resurgent New Orleans franchise – and the despised opponent.

“I’m sure there will be some Boilers fans there, but they’ll probably all be wearing Colts jerseys,” Brees said.

For Manning and Brees, the NFL’s marquee opening matchup will be more reunion than rivalry.

The two became friends when Brees was a Heisman Trophy candidate at Purdue, about an hour northwest of Indianapolis. Since then, their paths have crossed several times.

Both have been major players in supporting the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Manning and his brother, Eli, shipped a plane full of supplies to their hometown just days after the devastating hurricane struck.

Brees has taken the commitment even further. He’s renovating a house in New Orleans rather than living in a suburb, and in June, Brees announced he would raise $2.5 million for rebuilding projects. So far, he says, his charitable foundation has about $500,000.