Why does Brock Purdy wear No.13 for the 49ers?

The number 13 is unlucky for some but not, it seems, for San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy, whose stratospheric rise to the top of NFL could peak on Sunday when the Niners face the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Could he be about to achieve in two years what the legendary Dan Marino couldn’t in 16?

Brock Purdy: ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ becomes ‘Mr. Relevant’

Purdy was 2022′s ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ after being picked last overall in that year’s NFL Draft, which rarely leads to having an especially football career, with a few exceptions. Initially behind first and second-string quarterbacks Trey Lance and Jimmy Garappolo, injuries to both suddenly saw him thrust into the spotlight as a starter.

To say the Arizona native backed up some decent numbers during his four years with Iowa State University (a 67.7% pass completion rate, with a total of 12,170 yards, 81 touchdowns against 33 interceptions in the 46 games) would be something of an understatement. Purdy became the only rookie quarterback to beat a team led by the legendary Tom Brady on his debut, won all five games as a starter as the Niners finished the regular-season with a 10-match winning streak and was one of the finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year, finishing third.

Niners quarterback’s record-equalling NFL start

He has, of course, gone from strength to strength in 2023, leading the Niners to an undefeated 5-0 start, which saw him became only the fourth quarterback ever to begin his career with eight consecutive regular-season wins without a loss, following Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Tomczak and Mike Livingston. As the league leader in passer rating, total quarterback rating, and yards gained per attempt, the next logical step for Purdy is to take his team to their first Super Bowl since 1994.

Just as the 24-year-old’s nickname has changed from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to ‘Mr. Relevant’, he has also switched jersey number during his time in San Francisco, where he was originally down to wear No. 14, rather than his current No. 13.

The reason Brock Purdy wears No. 13

There are numerous stories of sports stars wearing certain jersey numbers in honour of their heroes (David Beckham wore 23 at Real Madrid and LA Galaxy as a nod to Michael Jordan) and this is also the case with Purdy, a diehard fan of Hall of Famer Marino. Father Shawn, a former minor league baseball player, has plenty to do with it, as Brock was just nine days old when the Miami Dolphins legend threw the final pass of his career in a playoff game against the Jaguars in January 2000.

Purdy Jr. had the chance to speak with his idol back in Week 3 ahead of a game against the Giants, which proved to be an emotional experience for him. “It’s an honour, man,” Purdy said upon being greeted by Marino. “My dad, I mean he loved you growing up. I wear 13 and everything because of you, man, so I appreciate it.”

Links to Dolphins legend Dan Marino

The links between the two didn’t stop there either. Purdy went on to explain that he was born on December 27th, 1999, a day on which Marino faced the Jets. “My dad always said I got to see you play the day I was born,” Purdy said.

Marino is famously considered by most to be the greatest quarterback - and indeed player - to never win a Super Bowl. On Sunday, Purdy has the chance to ensure his name never enters that conversation in just his second year in NFL.