Since being selected as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft, quarterback Brock Purdy has exceeded all expectations. After winning the San Francisco 49ers‘ starting job over Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, he has emerged as one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL and led the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime.
Now that he’s in the limelight, there’s a lot more interest in his personal life, including many people wondering about his family and upbringing. Let’s get to know Purdy’s parents, Shawn and Carrie.
Who Are Brock Purdy’s Mom and Dad?
Brock was born to Shawn and Carrie Purdy on Dec. 27, 1999, in Arizona. While Brock turned his NFL dream into reality, he wasn’t the first professional athlete in his family.
Shawn wasn’t a stud on the football field, but he does have an incredible arm. The elder Purdy was a relief pitcher who played professionally. After pitching for the Miami Hurricanes in college, he was picked three times in the MLB Draft in 1987, 1989, 1990, and 1991. Purdy eventually signed with the Angels in 1991, and he played in the minor leagues for eight seasons. He ultimately retired in 1998 at 29 years old.
In a really wholesome moment, Shawn couldn’t hold back his emotions after Brock threw his first touchdown pass in his first start.
Brock Purdy's dad was emotional after that last TD 🙌
📺: #TBvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Y8d9nuZcHK pic.twitter.com/PNqAqB8T5O— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2022
Talking to reporters about his family and that moment after the game, Purdy was also visibly emotional.
“I saw him right after the game and the emotions on the face and just the way they looked down at me from up on the railing, it just means a lot,” Brock said. “Just throughout my whole life, the ups and downs of playing quarterback in general, high school, and college, the people at home just believe in you, they see the best in you.
“They have always been telling me, ‘You are good enough,’ and, ‘We know you can do it.’ To see them after that performance meant a lot to me, so [I’m] very blessed to have them as my family.”
Meanwhile, Brock’s mother, Carrie, brought energy and heart to the family. A California native, Carrie has always been the one to keep things lively in the Purdy household. Back in 2023, the 49ers quarterback shared his appreciation for his mother on the Sports Spectrum Podcast.
“My mom … she’s always going to keep everyone on our toes. She brings the energy to the family, so I think I definitely get that kind of trait from her,” Brock said about Carrie, who raised all three of her children into athletes, per PEOPLE.
Thank You Jesus For Our Blessings!! Love My Family!❤️#Huskers #49ers pic.twitter.com/oyw7sVqHOU
— Carrie Purdy (@bigbirdpurdy) May 2, 2022
He also credited his mother for keeping him grounded. Her words of wisdom and constant presence served as the foundation that Brock needed during the toughest moments of his career.
The Purdy Family Is United by Sports and Love
Together, Shawn and Carrie have created an environment where sports are celebrated. The couple started to inculcate the importance of sports in the children early on, with their decisions like settling in Arizona for its athletic opportunities.
Their passion for sports was passed down to their kids, who all played college sports. In addition to Brock’s success, their oldest child, Whittney, played softball at Spartanburg Methodist and transferred to Southeastern University in 2019. Their youngest child, Chubba, is currently a backup quarterback for the Nevada Wolf Pack, and he also had stints with the Florida State Seminoles and Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The Purdys have attended nearly every one of Brock’s games to encourage him and serve as his support system. They would also give him feedback and assess his play occasionally, which continued even after he became the 49ers’ starting QB.
“My mom and dad definitely gave me some great advice in the offseason,” the young quarterback said on an episode of the series Brick by Brick.
Brock’s connection with his parents is so deep that he wears the No. 13 as a tribute to his father, Shawn, because Dan Marino was his favorite player.
Brock got to have a heartwarming FaceTime with his hero, and he mentioned that his father was a huge fan.
“It’s an honor, man. My dad, I mean, he loved you growing up. I wear 13 and everything because of you, man, so I appreciate it,” Purdy told Marino.
Marino had the perfect response: “I appreciate that. Tell your dad he’s a smart guy.”
Brock Purdy, meet Dan Marino. Courtesy of our guy Fitz. pic.twitter.com/DWhT8Gm17Z
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 22, 2023
“I think the day I was born, December 27, 1999, you guys were playing the Jets, and my dad always said I got to see you play on the day I was born.”
Marino joked that he probably had at least three touchdowns that day, and it turns out he was right! He threw for 322 yards, three TDs, and three picks in a 38-31 losing effort.
Purdy’s parents helped make him the star that he is today, and they have been by his side when it mattered the most, including when he played in Super Bowl 58 and got married to Jenna Brandt in March of this year.