NFL

NFL News: Brock Purdy gets support from multiple Super Bowl champ with 49ers

Former wide receiver and 3x Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice had nothing but support for Brock Purdy ahead of the NFC Championship Game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions.

January 24, 2024 11:55AM EDT

**© Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images**Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the first half against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

Brock Purdy may have exceeded expectations as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback. Although there are still many doubters around him, Niners legend Jerry Rice is not one of them.

In an appearance on “The Morning Roast” with Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky on 95.7 FM The Game, the three-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers made it clear he’s not turning his back to the second-year quarterback.

“I believe in Brock Purdy,” Rice said ahead of the Niners’ NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions. “I love his intensity, his decision making, all of those things and I think he’s gonna have his best football game this weekend.“

While Purdy continued to make an impression in 2023, his latest performance against the Green Bay Packers raised some concern, as the Niners had to sweat to get past the Divisional Round. However, Rice’s blessing should be enough for Purdy to head into this weekend with confidence.

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers hands off the ball to Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

Jerry Rice not worried about most of the league rooting against Purdy, Niners

The AFC Championship Game between Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs and Lamar Jackson’s Ravens may be more polarizing for neutral fans, whereas the NFC title matchup clearly has more fans rooting for the Lions.

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After decades of misery, Detroit is finally on the verge of making history by achieving a long-awaited success. The rest of the league doesn’t seem to want the Niners to claim another championship, but Rice is fine with that.

“It’s okay, everybody can be going for Detroit,” he said. “We don’t care about that. As long as our team, we get out there and we bring the noise and let them know that hey, look, we want to get this stuff.”

Rice also weighed in on the Deebo Samuel situation, with the wide receiver’s availability for Sunday’s game uncertain due to a shoulder injury sustained last time out. “I expect Deebo Samuel to be on that football field. Deebo, being the competitor that he is, he’s gonna be ready to play,” Rice said.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.