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There are two types of quarterbacks who have played in the Super Bowl: those who won multiple rings, as is the case with Tom Brady, and those others who lost their first and only opportunity in the Big Game. After his defeat in the LVIII edition, many begin to wonder in which group Brock Purdy will be placed.
This February 11th was the culmination of a dream season for Purdy and his San Francisco 49ers. The team had returned to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years after winning the NFC West almost uncontested and resounding victories over the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions in the playoffs.
Even the Super Bowl, which this year was played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, started with a promising start for the Niners, who finished the first half with a 10-3 lead. However, in the end, they lost 25-22 in overtime against Patrick Mahomes’Kansas City Chiefs.
The defeat was a hard blow for the Californian franchise, and it remains to be seen if the team and Purdy, in particular, will be able to recover and return to the Big Game and even if they will be able to win it.
The One-Hit wonders
Although Purdy is only in his second year, with his entire career ahead of him, analysts and fans are already beginning to compare him with other quarterbacks who had glory within reach and never had another opportunity to be crowned champions.
The list is headed by a legend like Dan Marino, the star quarterback of the Miami Dolphins who lost Super Bowl XIX to Joe Montana and the 49ers. « Boomer » Esiason was another privileged arm who only had one chance, in Super Bowl XXIII, also defeated by Montana.
Over the past 30 years, that list has grown exponentially, with players like Stan Humphries, who lost Super Bowl XXIX as a starter with the San Diego Chargers, although he had previously won Super Bowl XXVI as Mark Rypien’s backup for the Washington Redskins.
Drew Bledsoe lost Super Bowl XXXI with the New England Patriots as a starter, but then won a championship ring as Tom Brady’s substitute in Super Bowls XXXVI. It is the same case with Jimmy Garoppolo, who lost Super Bowl LIV as a starter with San Francisco, but had previously won Super Bowls XLIX and LI behind Brady.
Garoppolo is still active, and although rumors say that he has one foot out of the Las Vegas Raiders, he still has a chance to be crowned champion as a starting quarterback. With ten years in his career, time is running out, but the possibility still exists.
Purdy and the new batch
Brock Purdy’s case is different from Garoppolo’s. The Niners quarterback is only in his second year as a professional. Although he missed his first year in the NFL due to injury, he has a long career ahead of him, and San Francisco is a talented team with the potential to form a dynasty.
Jared Goff is another player from this new crop of quarterbacks who have shown his talent in the Super Bowl, although he lost Super Bowl LIII at the reins of the Los Angeles Rams. However, his recent performance leading the Detroit Lions, which he led to the NFC Championship game, has raised great hopes around him.
Joe Burrow leading the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI and Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII also showed qualities in leading their team to the Big Game. Although they both lost, they still have time to return to a championship game, and then they could join their names with those of the great legends of the field.
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