The Super Bowl fever is officially at its peak. The two teams that made it to the finals after an expansive series of matches — Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers — are set for the showdown with their fans also at the zenith of excitement.
Being a popular sport in America, football often gets the emotions of fans involved in important matches. Consequently, player nicknames are a common part of games. While some are nicknames given in good spirits, some others are a means of mockery. San Francisco 49ers player Brock Purdy is a victim of the latter. Here’s why the player is called ‘Mr. Irrelevant’.
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Why Is Brock Purdy Called ‘Mr. Irrelevant’?
Brock Purdy, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is infamously known as ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ even when he has risen to be one of the most important players of his team. The 24-year-old Purdy wasn’t so hyped when the 2022 NFL Draft rolled around — which is the same time when he was given the nickname by NFL fans.
Purdy ranked around No. 10 in the class, which typically would have made him a mid-round pick. But to his misfortune, it was reportedly the weakest quarterback class in the history of NFL, which further pushed him down to an “irrelevant” position in the team.
A total of only nine quarterbacks were selected at the time. Other than Kenny Pickett, nobody was seen to be a first round talent . Even then, there was speculation about whether or not he was worth an early pick.
Drafted as the final pick No. 262 in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy was dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” — a term jokingly given to him as the last player selected. However, He slowly rose to fame, partially because of fate’s play. Injuries sidelined former quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, paving the way for Purdy to secure the starter spot. And he has so far made the best of it with his extraordinary performances on field.
However, despite his great performance and the respect gained in the NFL world, the player is known by the same nickname. He recently addressed reporters during the Super Bowl’s opening night in Las Vegas, while speaking about his label.
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“I Really Don’t Care”: Purdy Says His Nickname Does Not Bother Him And He Would Rather “Wear It With Pride”
With the Super Bowl on the horizon, Purdy shrugged off suggestions for a new nickname should his team claim victory. “I’m gonna be honest — I really don’t care,” Purdy said.
“If it’s gonna be ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ still, great, I love it, but if that’s the case, then I’m gonna continue to wear it with pride,” he said, as he ended his response by saying, “So, it’s all good.”
Responding to another question on Monday, Purdy talked about how surreal it feels to to play on the NFL’s biggest stage. “The bottom line is, life isn’t about you. That’s what I believe,” Purdy said, adding that he feels like “a part of something bigger” than just himself.
“You know, you get wrapped up in getting all the glory and the fame and the status, and I feel like that’s a shallow life and that can fade away pretty quickly,” Purdy continued. “So for me, obviously we’re playing in the Super Bowl. I’m very honored and thankful; I wanna win a championship for this organization, but more than anything, I’m trying to just serve my guys on this team well,” Purdy added.
Purdy is also known for maintaining a grounded lifestyle despite his success on the field. The player still splits his rent at his living space shared with an offensive lineman and drives a Toyota Sequoia. His down-to-earth approach has also resonated well with his fans amidst the glitz of sports.
As the San Francisco 49ers gear up to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Purdy remains focused on the game and his team’s aspirations. For him, it’s about serving his teammates well and striving for victory, regardless of the nicknames or accolades that come his way.
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