Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton rooting for Iowa State friend Brock Purdy and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl

The Pacers and 49ers stars were friends in college

The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will face off in Super Bowl LVIII tomorrow, and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will be cheering hard for the NFC representative.

Haliburton, who hails from Iowa State, will continue to root for the 49ers, who are led by quarterback Brock Purdy. Haliburton and Purdy became friends while both were attending Iowa State and leading their respective Cyclone programs.

"It's cool to see us kinda both doing our thing," Haliburton, who was recently named a 2024 NBA All-Star, said in late January. He's been watching many of Purdy's games, including watching parts of the NFC Championship Game on his phone at a restaurant.

The two met as freshman at Iowa State in 2018, where they were on campus in the summer for athlete courses. Haliburton knew Purdy as the guy who had a scholarship offer from Alabama, which was his sign that the QB was a talented player.

They spent a lot of time together in Ames on a bus that takes athletes between campus and other facilities. That's where they grew closer as friends.

"I'm excited for him. It's an exciting moment for him and his family," Haliburton said of Purdy and his team's success. He watches San Francisco when he can. "No surprise to see what he's doing."

Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft by the 49ers, quickly rose to become the Niners starting quarterback. He did well closing his rookie season at the helm and started every game this year for San Francisco. Now, he's a Pro Bowl QB that led his team to the Super Bowl.

Haliburton, meanwhile, is a two-time All-Star and could be on his way to making an All-NBA team. He played for Team USA last summer for the World Cup team as well. 

The Pacers guard noted that the two text back-and-forth regularly. Haliburton has worn a 49ers jersey on multiple recent occasions, including once during a Pacers game while injured. It's clear who he's pulling for in the big game tomorrow — he'll cheer for the 49ers. The Pacers don't play on Sunday, so he should be able to watch the game as Indiana is currently on a road trip.

Haliburton is averaging 22.1 points and 11.7 assists per game this season.

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