AMES, Iowa — San Francisco 49ers quarterback and former Iowa State Cyclone Brock Purdy will play in his first Super Bowl in just his second season in the NFL.
Iowa State Head Coach Matt Campbell said he will be attending the game to watch his former quarterback play.
"I think the word that I would use is pride," said Campbell. "You're just really proud of obviously, what he accomplished during his time here. To be quite honest with you, really watch that just continue to elevate through his professional career so far and, you know, I think it's enjoyable to watch the national narrative on Brock, as this has occurred over the course of the last year and a half. But I think internally there, everybody within this, this program has always had such a great belief in who he is, and certainly what his ability is and what he stood for. It's awesome that the world is getting to watch that right now. So, it's been great pride for all of us."
After a historic career at Iowa State, Purdy was the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, giving him the title of 'Mr. Irrelevant'. He became the first Iowa State quarterback to be drafted since Seneca Wallace in 2003.
Campbell had no doubt that Purdy could be a starting NFL quarterback - and a good one at that.
"What I know of Brock Purdy from the day I met him through the recruiting journey to every single day I've been with him is he's a winner," Campbell said.
During his time as a Cyclone, Purdy passed for 12,170 yards and 81 touchdowns, while racking up 13,347 yards of total and 19 rushing touchdowns.
In total, he has 32 school records to his name, including nine single-game records, 10 season records and 13 career records.
Since taking over as the starting quarterback for the 49ers in week 13 of the 2022 season, Purdy has thrown for 5,654 yards and 44 touchdowns. He's rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns.
This season, he was named as an NFL MVP candidate by the Associated Press. However, there's been widespread debate on whether Purdy is considered more of a game manager than an elite quarterback.
When asked for his thoughts on the game manager label, Campbell said Purdy always gives his team the best chance to win and that's what makes a good quarterback.
"When it matters most and it's the fourth quarter and you need him to make the plays to win the game, he's won the game and that's what he did here for four years," Campbell said. "It's what he did in high school and honestly, it's what he's doing right now in the National Football League. You know, I feel like when it's all said and done, the great players in that league, that's what they do. They win."
The 49ers will take on the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.