San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s powerful testimony reveals how faith guided him from being the NFL’s “Mr. Irrelevant” to Super Bowl starter.
Early Challenges and Finding Identity
Purdy started playing football at age six, but faced serious doubts during high school when critics questioned his potential.
“There was so many people that were telling me who I was not,” Purdy recalls. Many said he was too small or didn’t have what it would take to play college football.
These doubts hit Purdy hard as he dreamed of continuing his football career.
The fear of not getting scholarship offers left Purdy feeling lost. “I was so hurt because I was, like, wanting it so bad,” he shared.
“If I don’t have a scholarship or an offer, I could walk on, yes. Is this really what my life is going to look like or not? Man, did I feel lost.”
This moment of doubt became a turning point in Purdy’s faith journey. Instead of letting critics define him, he turned to God’s Word.
“I knew, deep down, that if I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, like, it should only matter what He thinks. So, that’s when I opened up God’s Word.”
What he found changed his outlook completely. “I felt so much joy in His presence, and I felt content. I was like, ‘Dude, I have everything I need.’ If football works out, great. But if it doesn’t, it’s going to be OK. Because, according to the Bible and God’s Word, I’m loved so much, and wherever I go, He is going to continue to guide me where He needs me to.”
From Last Chance to Last Pick
Purdy’s trust in God was rewarded when Iowa State offered him a scholarship “at the last minute.” During college, he became a standout quarterback, starting all four years and setting several school records.
After his senior year, Purdy decided to pursue professional football. “All right, I’m going to just stick it out with football for now and see where God takes me throughout all this,” he remembered thinking.
The NFL Combine was a stressful experience for Purdy. “Being at the NFL combine for me was extremely stressful,” he admitted. “You’re just being judged the whole week.”
After the combine, he went back to Arizona to train while waiting for the draft.
When the 2022 NFL Draft finally arrived, Purdy watched as nearly every pick was announced before his name.
With the final selection of the entire draft, pick number 262, the San Francisco 49ers chose Purdy, giving him the title of “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Rather than feeling disappointed, Purdy felt grateful. “Gratitude was like the biggest thing for me in my heart was just thank you God,” he said.
From “Irrelevant” to Irreplaceable
Purdy shocked everyone by not only making the 49ers roster but becoming their starting quarterback. His first two seasons proved historic as he led the team to back to back NFC Championship games and became the lowest drafted quarterback ever to start in a Super Bowl.
His first game with San Francisco filled Purdy with amazement and thankfulness.
“To be able to walk in this stadium and see it full of Niner fans and go out in the field and throw a pass… my heart just wanted to burst with gratitude to God,” he shared. “I didn’t get here by chance or just on my own. This was Him.”
When asked about entering the Super Bowl, Purdy showed his balanced perspective: “I thought of two things. One, man, how can I do my job really well and win this game? It’s another game. And then the second part was like taking a step back and going like, my whole life I’ve watched these games on TV… it didn’t seem real.”
Through it all, Purdy maintained his core belief: “More than anything, just understanding that God got me here.”
Faith Foundations
Purdy’s spiritual journey began in childhood, though like many kids, he sometimes questioned going to church. “Growing up at an early age, you know, Sunday school and stuff was sometimes like, ‘Mom, Dad, why are we going?’ kind of thing,” he admitted.
A key moment came when Purdy and his sister attended a church camp where they learned about Jesus’s power to transform lives.
This foundation has shaped how Purdy sees his purpose today. While football success matters, Purdy believes his greater calling is to serve others.
“This is my season of life of where God has me,” he reflected.
“You know, I don’t know how long I’m going to play. It could end tomorrow; it could end in another 20 years. What I do know is making life about serving others, and laying down my life for my wife, my family, my teammates.
“Not putting a spotlight on yourself, but making others around you feel loved, and use what I have to point people to Jesus. I think that’s greatness.”
Purdy stays humble about his own need for grace: “I’m not perfect. I need a savior. Through him, you have everything that you need. I have all that I need through Jesus. He’s better than life.”
He recognizes that faith doesn’t make life easier but gives him a foundation: “Life doesn’t get easier following Him, but through His promises and what He’s done, I know who I am.”
Finding Our Own True Identity
Brock Purdy’s testimony from doubted high school player to Super Bowl quarterback reminds us that our worth isn’t set by what others think or even by our successes.
When we root our identity in God’s unchanging love rather than shifting opinions, we find a foundation that supports us through both victories and disappointments.
May we discover, like Purdy, that true contentment comes not from reaching the heights of success, but from knowing we are deeply loved by God who values us far beyond what any achievement could measure.
WATCH: 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy’s Powerful Testimony
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