Brock Purdy and his parents Carrie and Shawn Purdy, on the red carpet during NFL Honors on February 9, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.Photo:Cooper Neill/Getty
Cooper Neill/Getty
Brock Purdy’s comeback story from “Mr. Irrelevant” to startingSuper Bowlquarterback was nothing short of a fairy tale — and his parents surely knew it.
Brock’s dad, Shawn Purdy, and his mom, Carrie Purdy, have been with their son every step of the way, from seeing him first grab a football to hearing a stadium full of fans chanting his name. And it was that celebratory moment that undid his dad, whowent viral for his tears as he watched his sonstart and win his first NFL game for the San Francisco 49ers in December 2022.
While the unlikely journey from the last pick of the 2022 NFL draft to starting quarterback intrigues many football fans, Brock said it was most special to have his family there to witness it all.
“It just means a lot because throughout my whole life, the ups and downs of playing quarterback in general … they’re the people at home that believe in you and they always see the best in you,“he told CBS Bay Areaafter the game.
The support of his parents has continued to drive the football player. “They’ve believed in me even though I was the last draft pick,” Brock said after the game. “They’ve always been telling me, ‘You’re good enough and we know that you can do it.’ And so, to see them after that performance meant a lot to me and [I’m] so very blessed to have them as my family.”
On Feb. 11, Shawn and Carrie witnessed another unforgettable moment in their son’s career: his first Super Bowl appearance. While Brock and the 49ers ultimately lost to defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, during overtime at the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas, the quarterback said he was “honored and thankful” to get the opportunity to play in the big game.
Here is everything to know about Brock Purdy’s parents, Shawn Purdy and Carrie Purdy.
His parents made a fateful decision to settle in Arizona
Brock Purdy and his parents Shawn and Carrie Purdy at a high school football game in Phoenix, Arizona.Brock Purdy Instagram
Brock Purdy Instagram
While Shawn grew up in Florida and Carrie was raised in California, the couple chose to start their family in Phoenix.
“He wasn’t going to California, and I wasn’t going to Florida. This was our compromise. And we love it,” Carrie toldThe Athleticin 2019.
Shawn had visited the region often for training while playing minor league baseball and the strong athletic programs in the area soon benefited their son, Brock. All of Shawn and Carrie’s kids enjoyed year-round athletic training thanks to the relatively even climate of Phoenix, and their proximity to big sports and big schools helped Brock rise quickly in his career.
When they aren’t in the bleachers, Shawn and Carrie run their own pool business, Fantastic Spa Outlet.
Shawn played minor league baseball
During his career, he played on the minor league teams for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics and the then-California Angels. He played college baseball at Valencia Community College, Indian State River College and the University of Miami.
All three of their kids are athletes
Brock Purdy with his siblings, Chubba Purdy and Whittney Purdy.Brock Purdy Instagram
All three Purdy kids followed in their dad’s athletic footsteps. The couple’s oldest, daughter Whittney, played softball at Southeastern University while their two sons, middle-child Brock and youngest Chubba, play football. Chubba, whose given name is Preston, is the current quarterback for the University of Nebraska.
He gets his energy from his mom
Brock Purdy and his mom Carrie Purdy in a prom photo.Brock Purdy Instagram
He might get his athletic abilities from his dad, but his energy comes from his mom. While speaking toThe Athletic, Brock admitted that his mom gives him and their family an energy boost.
“My mom … she’s always going to keep everyone on our toes. She brings the energy to the family, so I think I definitely get that kind of trait from her,” he said.
Sometimes, however, it gets to the point where Brock is the one teaching his mom a little patience. “Brock’s favorite words to me are ‘Mom, chill,’ ” Carriesaid in a 2023 episode of theSports Spectrum Podcast.
They helped Brock overcome a devastating injury
Brock Purdy celebrates with his mother Carrie Purdy, and sister Whittney Purdy after winning over the Oklahoma Sooners on October 3, 2020.David K Purdy/Getty
David K Purdy/Getty
After his surprisingly strong start and success on the field, Brock’s rookie season season came to an end whenhe tore his right UCLin the 2023 NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The team lost the game, and Brock had to have surgery to repair the damage.
But through the difficult process, his family — especially his dad — helped him keep his head down and recover. It helped that Shawn had gone through the same injury in his baseball days and could be there to give his son advice.
“Being able to ask him and go to him for advice with, ‘Hey man, what do I got to do?’ And the biggest thing he would say is, ‘You got to have patience. There’s a process to this. You can’t overnight, all of the sudden heal up,'" Brock toldNBC Sports Bay Area.
Shawn called the people who helped him rehab his own injury to give Brock an understanding of what he needed to do to get better, while the couple helped Brock stay focused on the recovery.
Brock wears No. 13 thanks to a sweet connection with his dad
Brock Purdy and his dad, Shawn Purdy.Brock Purdy Instagram
Brock might be a 49er now, but he grew up a Miami Dolphins fan thanks to his dad Shawn, who has been a longtime fan. In fact, Shawn was watching the Dolphins then-quarterback and Hall of Famer Dan Marino play when Brock was born on Dec. 27, 1999. The father and son duo often watched videos from Marino’s heyday to improve Brock’s game, and the young football player later chose to wear No. 13, the same as Marino.
They attend a lot of Brock’s games
Brock Purdy with his family before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023.Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty
Home and away, Brock’s parents attend as many San Francisco 49ers games as they can.
In January 2024, they watched their son lead his team to an NFC Championship win, which secured the 49ers' spot in Super Bowl LVIII. Shawn and Carrie were the first people to hug Brock following the game.
The following month, the Purdys headed to Las Vegas to watch their son play in the Super Bowl.
They attended Brock’s wedding in March 2024
Brock andJenna Brandtgot marriedin Des Moines, Iowa, on March 9, 2024. The entire family was in attendance for the big day.
source: people.com
