Brock Purdy was the last pick in last year’s draft, which earned him the title of “Mr. Irrelevant” and his own trophy, presented during the annual “Irrelevant Week” celebration in June in Newport Beach, Calif. The newest 49ers quarterback, an Iowa State alum, was given the Lowsman Trophy, the spiritual cousin — and playful opposite — of the Heisman. The figurine atop the award fumbles the football.
No one in Newport Beach could have predicted what happened next: Purdy became the NFL’s most unlikely success story, winning all five of his starts to end the regular season — and then two playoff games to set up the NFC title game against the Eagles. A gruesome elbow injury ended his day after four passes, and the 49ers lost a game he started for the first time.
