San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had a true “idols becoming rivals” moment during his matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday.
On the opposing sideline to Purdy was Christian Kirk, the Jaguars wide receiver who like Purdy is an Arizona native. Kirk is three years older than Purdy, and Purdy shared with him after the game a story about attending a state championship football game that Kirk starred in while Purdy’s own football career was just starting to take off.
“I went to your junior, or maybe senior year state championship game. You went crazy, bro,” Purdy said.
It was clearly a special moment for him to share the field with someone he grew up watching, and Kirk has taken notice of the fellow Arizonan’s success.
“I’ve been watching you, man,” Kirk said to Purdy. “It’s been fun to follow you.”
.@brockpurdy13 went to @ckirk's high school state championship game when he was a kid.
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2023
Brock is still in awe that he gets to share the same field as his idols. ❤️🥹 (via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/TXaEGOjOkN
It was a cool moment to see the respect between two NFL players, especially ones that come from similar backgrounds. And Purdy’s rapid ascent to stardom has created plenty of pinch-me moments like that one.
CKirk knew what it meant to play at Saguaro and understood the importance of all those players that came before him 🙌 #traditionnevergraduates https://t.co/oMuqP3EYza
— Jim Camarillo (@Coachcam3Jim) November 15, 2023
Very cool. Think about all the young kids out there who idolize high school football players. Brock Purdy was once one of them. https://t.co/sr8OFu6wll
— Steve Montoya (@SMontoyaMP) November 16, 2023
This 👇warms my heart! ❤️❤️🌵🌵My Guys and why I do what I do! https://t.co/OFG9btA4T5
— Kevin McCabe (@KevinMcCabe987) November 16, 2023
How can you not love this guy https://t.co/IUALEbDGbK
— NinersDawgs (@NinersDawgs) November 15, 2023
This is really cool. Two Arizona kids at the highest level. https://t.co/dpUGQRfS1W
— Paul Bentz (@prbentz) November 15, 2023
This is awesome. https://t.co/Ve54r3StIe
— Kayla (@kaylaf_99) November 15, 2023
