49ers QB Brock Purdy Reveals Florida Gators Fandom Before Super Bowl Debut
At least four former Gators are expected under the lights of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sunday, with a fifth occupying a spot on the practice squad of one team.
The number becomes six, though, if you count a Gator at heart.
San Francisco starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who starred at Iowa State before his seventh round, No. 262 overall pick by the 49ers in 2022, revealed his Florida fandom during Super Bowl LVIII opening night on Monday.
Asked if his original college allegiance lies with one of the University of Arizona or Arizona State, given his roots in the Grand Canyon State of Pac-12 country, Purdy shared his appreciation instead for a Southeastern Conference squad from across the nation.
"Honestly, neither. I was actually a Florida Gator fan," Purdy said, according to Noah Furtado of 247Sports. "I love [former UF quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner] Tim Tebow.”
The secret was out before Purdy confirmed his leaning, however, as pictures of the quarterback sporting Florida merchandise during his youth circulated across the internet last week.
A consensus three-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, Purdy did not collect a scholarship offer from Florida but did receive interest from a pair of SEC programs as a recruit, Alabama and Texas A&M.
But Purdy opted to sign with Iowa State of the Big 12, where he started at quarterback for nearly four seasons and set 32 program records, including the career passing yard (12,170), passing touchdown (81) and total touchdown (100) marks. He was thrice named an All-Big-12 quarterback, receiving first-team honors in 2020 and 2021.
Despite his collegiate accolades, Purdy's last overall draft selection two years ago earned him the annual title of "Mr. Irrelevant."
He's been anything but irrelevant in his time with San Francisco, however.
Originally the 49ers' thing-string quarterback, injuries to starter Trey Lance and backup Jimmy Garoppolo vaulted Purdy into the first-team role 12 games into his NFL career. He performed admirably, leading San Francisco to an undefeated record over the final five weeks of the 2022 season and two postseason victories, over Seattle and Dallas.
San Francisco traded Lance to Dallas in Aug. 2023 and allowed Garoppolo to walk via free agency months earlier, paving the way for Purdy to maintain the starting position. The 49ers posted a 12-5 record en route to the Super Bowl, with Purdy passing for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 16 games.
Purdy will take on former Florida and current Kansas City offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, punter Tommy Townsend, wide receiver Kadarius Toney and running back La'Mical Perine during the NFL season finale this weekend. Former Gators safety Trey Dean III signed with the Chiefs' practice squad in January.
Super Bowl LVIII will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 11.
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