Even NFL starting quarterbacks have their fandom moment. And for Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers, his came before the Thursday Night Football meeting with the New York Giants.
Brock Purdy Gets Surprise From Idol Dan Marino
Here was the scene set up by Amazon Thursday Night Football analyst and ex-NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick: An iPad and a special guest behind the camera in Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
Purdy explained how he wore the No. 13 because of the Miami Dolphins legendary quarterback. Purdy, one year ago the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, had a large smile cover his face in seeing Marino’s face.
“Congratulations on a couple of good starts,” Marino begins the conversation.
Turns out Purdy wasn’t the only one from his family tree who idolized the nine-time Pro Bowler.
Purdy Reveals Father Was Another Marino Fan
Surprise! There was another Purdy who loved watching Marino play.
“My dad, I mean, he loved you growing up,” Purdy explained to Marino.
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From there, Purdy revealed the meaning behind his number.
“I was 13 and everything because of you, man,” Purdy told Marino. “So I appreciate it.”
Marino not only appreciated the sentiment but joked, “Tell your dad he’s a smart guy” for choosing to look up to Marino.
Purdy Reveals Important Date Involving His Family and Marino
Purdy, 23, was born in 1999.
And that year happened to be the final one in the illustrious career of the Dolphins passer. Purdy revealed he was born during a pivotal game of Marino’s time in the league.
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“You guys were playing the Jets — December 27, 1999,” Purdy recalled. “My dad says that I got to see you play the day that I was born.”
Turns out that was Marino’s final home game of his career when he threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns in the 38-31 loss to the New York Jets.
Marino was indeed correct. He had 3 touchdowns in that Dec 27, 1999 game the day Brock Purdy was born.
322 yards and 3 TDs in a 38-31 loss on Monday Night Football. https://t.co/N8Qm1jiq7L
— Matt Infante (@MattInfante) September 22, 2023
Marino’s final game ever was on January 15, 2000, in the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs — which was the 62-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Marino was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot inductee in 2005.