The story of the return of Brock Purdy from the movie “Mr. Irrelevant” for the seasoned quarterback is nothing more than a fairy tale — and his parents surely know it.
Brock’s dad, Shawn Purdy, and his mom, Carrie Purdy, were with their son every step of the way, from seeing him catch his first football to hearing a stadium full of fans chanting his name. And it was that celebratory moment that was undone by his father, who went viral for his tears as he watched his son start and win his first NFL game for the San Francisco 49ers in December 2022.
While the incredible journey from the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to the No. 1 quarterback intrigued many football fans, Brock said it was special to have his family there to witness it all.
“It just means a lot because through my whole life, the ups and downs of playing quarterback in general … they’re the people at home who believe in you and always see the best in you,” he told CBS Bay Area after the game.
The support of parents continued to motivate the football player. “They believed in me even though I was the last pick in the draft,” Brock said after the game. “They always told me, ‘You’re good enough and we know you can do it.’ And so it meant a lot to me to see them after that performance [I’m] I’m so blessed to have them as my family.”
Here’s everything to know about Brock Purdy’s parents, Shawn Purdy and Carrie Purdy.
His parents made the 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
While Shawn grew up in Florida and Carrie grew up in California, the couple decided to start their family in Phoenix.
“He didn’t go to California and I didn’t go to Florida. This was our compromise. And we love it,” Carrie said The Athletic in 2019
Shawn frequented the region for training while playing minor league baseball and the area’s strong athletic programs soon helped their son Brock. All of Shawn and Carrie’s children enjoyed year-round sports training thanks to Phoenix’s relatively even climate, and their proximity to big sports and big schools helped Brock advance quickly in his career.
When not in the stands, Shawn and Carrie run their own pool business, Fantastic Spa Outlet.
Shawn played minor league baseball
Shawn, a right-handed pitcher, was first drafted in the minor leagues in 1987 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went on to have an eight-season career, starting 70 and saving 40 games during his stints with teams across the country, according to The Athletic.
During his career, he played in 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 children are athletes
Brock Purdy with his siblings, Chubba Purdy and Whittney Purdy.
Brock Purdy Instagram
All three of Purdy’s children followed in their father’s sporting footsteps. The couple’s oldest daughter, Whittney, played softball at Southeastern University, while their two sons, middle child Brock and youngest Chubb, play football. Chubba, whose real name is Preston, is a current quarterback at the University of Nebraska.
According to The Athletic, Brock’s parents emphasized the importance of sports but did not pressure either of their children to be perfect. The couple just wanted their kids to dedicate themselves and play hard. This caused the Purdy children to push each other. In the outlet’s profile on Brock, the family recalled how Brock was often frustrated by Whittney’s strong arm throwing him out because “she could launch it.”
He gets his energy from his mother
Brock Purdy and his mom Carrie Purdy in a prom photo.
Brock Purdy Instagram
He may have gotten his athletic ability from his father, but his energy comes from his mother. While talking to The AthleticBrock admitted that his mom gives him and their family energy.
“My mom… will always keep everyone on their toes. She brings energy to the family, so I think I definitely got that trait from her,” he said.
Sometimes, though, it gets to the point where Brock is the one teaching his mom some patience. “Brock’s favorite words to me are ‘Mom, relax,'” Carrie said in the 2023 episode. Sports Spectrum podcast.
They helped Brock overcome a devastating injury
Brock Purdy celebrates with his mother Carrie Purdy and sister Whittney Purdy after a win over the Oklahoma Sooners on Oct. 3, 2020.
David K Purdy/Getty
After his surprisingly strong start and success on the field, Brock’s rookie season came to an end when he tore his right UCL in the 2023 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The team lost the game, and Brock had to undergo surgery to repair the damage.
But through the difficult process, his family — especially his father — helped him keep his head down and bounce back. It helped that Shawn went through the same injury in his baseball days and was able to be there to give his son advice.
“Being able to ask him and go to him for advice with, ‘Hey man, what do I need to do?’ And the biggest thing he would say is, ‘You’ve got to have patience. There’s a process to this. You can’t overnight, suddenly recover,'” Brock told NBC Sports Bay Area.
Shawn called the people who helped him rehabilitate his own injury to give Brock an understanding of what he needed to do to get better, while the pair helped Brock stay focused on his recovery.
“Mom and dad definitely gave me great advice in the offseason,” Brock said on an August 2023 episode of the team’s video series “Brick by Brick.” “Obviously just being in the moment, being present, not getting too caught up in what’s going to happen in life, your career, recovery from injury, everything [that] things like that, but just being present where you are. Get involved in rehabilitation now, everything will fall into place.”
Brock wears number 13 thanks to his sweet relationship with his dad
Brock Purdy and his father, Shawn Purdy.
Brock Purdy Instagram
Brock may be a 49er now, but he grew up a Miami Dolphins fan thanks to his father, Shawn, who is a longtime fan. In fact, Shawn was watching then-Dolphins linebacker and Hall of Famer Dan Marino play when Brock was born on December 27, 1999. The father-son duo often watched videos from Marino’s prime to improve Brock’s game, and the young football player later decided to wear number 13, the same as Marino.
When Brock finally spoke to Marino for the first time in a special interview arranged by the NFL, the young player even cracked one of Shawn’s favorite jokes: “My dad always said I saw you play the day I was born. ”
They attend many 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
At home and away, Brock’s parents attend as many San Francisco 49ers games as possible.
In January 2024, they watched their son lead his team to victory in the NFC Championship, which secured the 49ers a spot in Super Bowl LVIII. Shawn and Carrie were the first people to hug Brock after the match.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education