Brock Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant” and possible MVP: the ignored star who bore the cross of being the worst in the NFL

“America loves stories with unlikely heroes but it just doesn’t love Mr. Irrelevant…” The reflection is heard in a podcast soccerthe most popular sport in the United States, and refers to Brock Purdythe quarterback of San Francisco 49ersone of the iconic franchises of the NFL.

Although Purdy is the one who leads the attack of the popular team from the bay, one of the four who will play the Conference finals this weekend and remains alive in the fight to become champion of the superbowl which will be played on Sunday the 11th in Las Vegas, the general public does not fully accept him as the star he should be, neither his own fans nor his rivals. He’s an underrated star.

The explanation is a hostile nickname which is carried as a stigma: Brock PurdyJust turned 24, born in a town of 26,000 inhabitants in Arizona and trained regularly at Iowa State University, he is not just Brock Purdy. As of 2022, he is known as “Mr. Irrelevant”.

In the United States they are known for giving a name to everything, and if something doesn’t exist they invent it. That’s what you might have thought Paolo Salata, a former player who in 1976 realized an idea that seemed crazy but ended up becoming a trademark of the league. In the famous Drafts, where teams negotiate and alternate choosing the university figures of the future, Salata proposed dedicating a special place to the last selection. I intend, the most relegated of all, the last of the bread and cheese. And she called him “Mr. Irrelevant.”

The call “Irrelevant Week” It all started in Newport Beach, California, and beyond the cruel joke, the boy who received this name was rewarded with a week’s vacation with his family in that area of ​​the beach, a trip to Disneyland, a ride on the yacht and other prizes. Furthermore, on the farewell evening they give him a gala where they give him the “Lowsman Trophy” (or “shortest man” trophy), a nod to the “Heisman Trophy” which highlights young people who appear to be the best of the year. If the Heisman statuette has a player who carries the ball, the Lowsman is the one who drops it.

By the way, the supposedly prestigious “Heisman” hides a curse that affects the winner and his college team, but which is material for another story.

“Mr. Irrelevant” became so popular that NFL teams fought to be last in the draft and enjoyed free publicity because of it. “junk” selection. In 1979, in fact, the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers began to give up their places until the league had to intervene, prohibiting the franchises from giving up their places in line. It was called, of course, the “Salt Rule.”

Marty Moore, a special teams linebacker drafted last in 1994 by the New England Patriots, was the first “Mr. Irrelevant” to play in a Super Bowl, in 1996, and also the first to win one, in 2001, (Tom Brady’s first ). The full back Jim Finn It was another who shouted champion, in 2007, with the New York Giants. AND Ryan Succopkicker chosen last in 2009, he also got his ring in 2021 but was the first to do so as a starter, with the Tampa Bay Buccaners (Brady’s last).

No “Mr. Irrelevant” was as famous as Brock Purdy, the quarterback was selected 262nd overall in the 2022 draftwho defied fate and ridicule in his rookie season, when from the back of the bench he had to lead the 49ers due to injuries Trey Lance (No. 3 of the Project) e Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback starter and substitute for the team. He was supposed to join a big team and he didn’t struggle at all but he started breaking all kinds of records.

Purdy became the first “Mr. Irrelevant” to throw a touchdown pass and was once named the starter, the only one to win in his debutnone other than in front Tom Brady. The mention of TB12 in this story is no coincidence: at the time he was chosen with pick 199 in the 2000 draft and became the best player in history, taking advantage of Drew Bledsoe’s injury to avoid leaving a team that had become a dynasty.

In Purdy’s 2022 appearance season, the streak extended to six games, including two in the postseason, forcing a review of all the statistical books. In the National Conference final, he suffered elbow discomfort and was forced to withdraw: it was a defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles, who reached the Super Bowl.

This year the coach Kyle Shanahan He trusted his qualities and already designated him as the starting quarterback, without caring that the promising Lance had already recovered. The boy complied and was the National League’s top seed for the playoffs. This Sunday at 8.30pm (Argentine time, ESPN and Star+ broadcast) they will once again take revenge in the Conference final, this time against the Detroit Lions, who also have an appointment with history.

All sensational but Purdy doesn’t get recognized enough. The 49ers have an extremely strong team and an equally prestigious coach Shanahan, who many insist the role of “Mr. Irrelevant” could be filled by any average quarterback. Nobody compares it Joe MontanaFor example, old glory from the 1980s and a reference for the entire championship, nor do they give substance to the numbers that resemble them Steve youngthe last great emblem of a franchise that played seven Super Bowls, won five (1982, 1985, 1989, 1990 and 1995) but lost the last two (2013 and 2020).

For the so-called “specialists”, Purdy’s success is due to luck and the choral talent that surrounds him, all superstars with astronomical salaries: Nick Bosa ($34 million per year), Deebo Samuel (23.8 million), Trent Williams (23 million) or the payers Christian McCaffrey (16 million) e George Kittle (15 million).

In an environment governed by contractual figures, the contrast between Purdy and the others is notable: when he arrived as a replacement, he accepted only 3.7 million for four seasons, approximately 934 thousand dollars a year. He has two more left.

The distance is astronomical if you put him on par with other quarterbacks in the league Joe Burrow (55 million per year) e Justin Herbert (52.5 million), and this also applies to the three who are still standing this season and will take the field with their respective teams this weekend: Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Crows (52 million), Patrician Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (45 million) e Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions (22 million).

This village boy He’s not being treated like the star he could be because he doesn’t believe it either. Last October, when he was enjoying his first games as the undisputed starter, he said it He split the rent on his apartment with a friend and moved into a family-style Toyota truck.. And his teammates love him even though he has failed to live up to the tradition that the quarterback must give a bag of high-end golf clubs to his “offensive linemen,” the players who stay in front when he has the ball and they bend. do everything to protect him. “Financially I wouldn’t be able to cover it.”he joked for TV.

For now “Mr. Irrelevant” took a little revenge a few hours before the match with the Lions: he was nominated for the award MVP thanks to the good numbers obtained in 2023/2024: 1st in passing touchdowns (29), 1st in yards per pass (9.9), 2nd in passing yards (3,795) and 2nd in percentage of completed passes ( 69.8), among other variables. with whom he will compete Lamar Jackson (Baltimore), his partner McCaffrey and those already eliminated Josh Allen (Buffalo) e Dak Prescott (Dallas), and a lot will have to do with what happens in the next few days.

There is life beyond the Super Bowl: last July Purdy proposed doing so Jenna Brandt, his college sweetheart, and is expected to walk down the aisle once the season is over. The guy from the movie who hasn’t won the hearts of NFL fans yet, your ring is insured.