Please tell your kids about the rather unassuming quarterback that will lead the San Francisco offense against the Kansas City Chiefs, Brock Purdy.
I certainly will be.
If you do, you could start with his elite level play on the field, leading the 49ers to this Super Bowl by way of two incredible second half performances. Or, you could explain his seemingly quick grasp of a complicated, rhythmic offense, or Purdy’s uncanny way of divvying up touches between his A-list offensive weapons. Do I dare explain Brock Purdy’s excellence as Joe Montana-esque? (Maybe too early, I know)
The football talk is fine, but when you’re talking to your sons and daughters, you may quickly transition to the non-football lessons that Brock Purdy’s road to this year’s Super Bowl can show them.
Like, how Purdy’s ability to play at the highest levels was discounted and marginalized since his days at Perry High School in Glendale, Arizona. Purdy, a “3 Star” prospect after high school, alas, ended up at Iowa State University. While this is cool for for my home state, the Cyclones are hardly a football powerhouse (especially when comparing to my Iowa Hawkeyes:). Rising from third string midway through his freshman season, Purdy was thrown into a starting role at ISU and never looked back. Not bad for an “average” recruit, huh?
Maybe we can tell our kids that it’s not where you start, it’s about putting in the work to be ready for your shot – as Brock Purdy has done.
And, before the announcers gush over the unlikely story of Brock Purdy on the TV broadcast, let’s tell our kids that Purdy, that average QB from an unknown college football program, was the VERY LAST player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. A position that earns a player the cruelest moniker in all of sports: “Mr. Irrelevant”. I’ll tell my little ones that just when Brock Purdy reached his dream, he was irrelevant to most – at best an after thought and at worst not much of a thought at all. No matter the long odds, Purdy hung on. And, when injuries sidelined the Niners’ other, much higher priced quarterbacks, Brock Purdy was ready when called upon – again.
Maybe I will tell my kids that perceived irrelevance can be motivating.
Next, I plan to mention to my kids that Purdy has continued to be labeled a “system quarterback” or “game manager” – all ways to describe a quarterback that wins in unspectacular fashion. It seems that, to some, “any average quarterback could win with a loaded offense like that.” The doubters have been, are, and will continue to be everywhere for Brock Purdy. It must be tough for Purdy to take such continual criticism after accumulating a 21-5 record as a starter. Purdy, though, seems to take it all in stride – he’s unflappable between the lines and with the media.
Maybe I’ll tell my kids to be as cool as Purdy on and off the field.
Lastly, we should look at the inequity that exists between Purdy’s salary, about $1 million this season, and the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, whose salary approaches $60 million this year. Yes, the opposing quarterback has 60x Purdy’s current financial value. But, as we should have expected by now, Brock Purdy shuts his mouth and goes to work. And, I’m sure he’ll be ready to be rewarded handsomely when a new contract is signed.
My kids want first and earn second. Brock Purdy’s career has personified the opposite. I’ll let them know about that, I guess, too.
Over the course of the next week, there will be plenty of time to talk about Brock Purdy’s rise from Mr. Irrelevant to (almost) Pro Bowler and Super Bowl starter. The history books, or Inside the NFL, or Tom Rinaldi will tell it more eloquently than I could ever. My kids, though, will be watching with me on Super Bowl Sunday – so now is my chance. And, rest assured, I’ll be telling them about the lessons Brock Purdy’s career can teach all of us so far – to be ready, to put your head down and work, and to earn everything. I’m not sure that “anyone can do it”, but Purdy has me inching closer to that sort of optimism.
I just hope they’ll listen.
Next Up:
Super Bowl Storylines for Kids: The National Anthem and Halftime Show
