Arizona native Brock Purdy becomes first QB to beat Tom Brady in first NFL start

Brock Purdy from Perry High School in Gilbert shines in first start for San Francisco

YUMA, Ariz., (KYMA, KECY) - On the final day of April 2022, he was given the name "Mr. Irrelevant." Just over seven months later, he is the starting quarterback for one of this year's Super Bowl favorites.

After four years under center at Iowa State, Brock Purdy became the newest "Mr. Irrelevant - the nickname given to the last pick in the annual NFL Draft.

Now with only four weeks left in the NFL's regular season, Purdy may be one of the most relevant players in the league - leading the San Francisco 49ers to two straight wins after coming in last week against Miami.

This Sunday throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback to beat the legendary Tom Brady in their first career start.

Purdy entered the season the team's third-string quarterback, behind 2021's third-overall pick Trey Lance, and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Following Lance's season-ending injury early on, Garoppolo took the reigns before being knocked out of last week's game with a foot injury that was initially reported to be season-ending. Despite new reports that say Garoppolo maye be able to return, Purdy's play the last two weeks could keep him in that spot when the playoffs come around.

Purdy's football career began at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona where he excelled, throwing 107 touchdown passes from 2015-2017.

In a fascinating link to Arizona high school football, Yuma Catholic's own Richard Stallworth actually holds several records over Purdy - such as career passing touchdowns and career passing yards, two categories that Stallworth smashed and put himself on the top of the list this past season.