Birdy Fairy Tales, Super Bowl, Jesus: God-Fearing Little Tailor Surprises America

Birdy stories, the Super Bowl, Jesus
A little god-fearing tailor takes America by surprise

David's Inn, Las Vegas
February 8, 2024, 8:28 pm

Brock Purdy is an NFL superstar — but looks like a shy high school senior in Bible study. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback was once the last player picked in the league, and his Super Bowl fairytale now makes even the Brothers Grimm jealous.

Once a poor, young hero compensates for his physical inferiority with intelligence and wit, proving through many trials that he is ready for great things. Sounds like a fairy tale? This is.

“The Brave Little Tailor,” written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, is a David vs. Goliath story in which the underdog wins through courage and intelligence. It's a lesson in using mind over body, strategy over strength, and intelligence over intimidation. But on closer inspection, the adventure fits perfectly with the final game for the NFL crown. With Brock Purdy — a brawny underdog who's mocked him his entire career and now cracked the league — on one side, the football legend, the intimidating streak winner from Kansas City, on the other.

Still, the 49-year-old looked like a shy teenager with little to no courage as he huddled in a black hoodie with a jersey on the small stage at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The body of a 16-year-old boy. The hair was neatly cut and there was not a stubble on the face. More of a high school graduate than an NFL star. Or Bible students (more on that later).

Birdy is a stark contrast to NFL stars

Brock Birdie is slightly embarrassed by the first questions. The 24-year-old feels uncomfortable in front of an army of reporters. literally slumped in his chair. He doesn't love this part of his job, but he loves the other part even more: He's the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers and is in his second NFL season with his team in the Super Bowl. On Sunday we play against the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

But Purdy is very grounded and humble for his age and doesn't care much about the hype around him. “The bottom line is that life is not about you,” he said at the Super Bowl opening press conference on Monday. “That's what I believe. Being a part of something bigger than yourself. You get caught up in all the fame and status, but I think it's a superficial life. It disappears very quickly.”

No earrings, no bling, no head hat. In terms of looks and type, Purdy is a stark contrast to other NFL stars and Patrick Mahomes. A superstar quarterback of the Chiefs, he is already an old hand and always comes across as confident, stylish and poised. But Birdy is taking part in the Super Bowl hype for the first time.

But after a 30-minute barrage of questions, the young playmaker escaped the media rush. As with almost all difficulties on the football field. The masses love him for this in America, and he received minute-long chants at Monday's opening ceremony. In the Super Bowl, Purdy aims to hoist the 49ers' first Lombardi Trophy since the 1994 season — and sixth overall — and continue the legacy of quarterback legends Joe Montana and Steve Young. It was something that no one would have thought of two years ago. Even now, many don't believe he can do it.

Purdy's journey from Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Important

Purdy is a complete underdog coming into the NFL. You can't get more “David” and Schneiderlein. Because no fairy tale is without obstacles. As “Mr. Irrelevant”, he will be the last player selected in the 2022 draft. Back then, he and his family were at home in front of the television, absolutely hysterical. From this moment on, Purdy receives attention, but continues to be underestimated in the league, after all, he is the “worst” NFL professional of his year. That remained the case when he moved into the starting lineup due to injuries to the two quarterbacks ahead of him and celebrated his first wins with his 49.

Now this appearance in the Super Bowl, in only his second season, is something few number one picks have accomplished in their entire careers. Mr. inappropriate mr. becomes relevant. Mr. Crucial is writing his own Grimm fairy tale, which no one thought he could do. Of course not. Even now, just before the most important game in American sports, the youngster is still being criticized. Fellow playmaker Cam Newton, an NFL Finals absentee, says Birdy is “the 10th best player on the 49ers” these days.

Did Purdy just succeed because coach Kyle Shanahan's system makes quarterbacks look better? Foolishly, the leaders around Mahomes rely even more on the superstar's throws. Because he has better offensive players around him? Quarterbacks such as Doug Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) have also been gifted with them. And yet: Purdy already has more Super Bowl appearances in his stats than any of the star quarterbacks who have been heavily traded.

Brothers Grimm Suit Birdie

Physically, Purdy is a complete inferior to Prescott, Allen and Jackson, as is the diminutive seamstress. His 185 centimeters and 96 kg doesn't come close to Mahomes' finesse and agility. But bold and daring, the 49ers quarterback always dared to throw difficult passes. In small, narrow windows. High risk of errors and constant risk of interception. But he usually wins, which is one of the reasons his team makes it to the finals. Seamer's “seven in one go,” in this case seven points awarded for a touchdown and an extra point, are easy for Birdie. Although he won't engrave the spell on the belt.

In fact, when asked by ntv.de during Tuesday's media round, he admitted that he had never heard of the Grimm brothers and their fairy tales. However, he can definitely recognize himself in the story of the brave little tailor. “Ever since high school, I've never been the biggest, fastest or strongest, but I've always found ways to win,” Purdy explains. “I use my head and anticipate things instead of jumping over people or throwing the ball 70 yards.” Among other things, he believes he is underrated because he looks like he “doesn't have the strongest arm in the world.”

So Purdy has developed the ability to stay very cool under pressure, which should help him against the Chiefs' very strong defense. He has a high level of game intelligence and resilience, for example, in the conference finals against the Detroit Lions in which he threw a surprisingly varied run, and has become a symbol of intelligence, grit and perseverance in these playoffs. Twice he led his team from deficit to late victory. Against the Lions, his team was held to 17 points.

Little Tailor Birdie likes simplicity

And Purdy shows that being underestimated makes a person especially strong. But he has another strength. For him, the most important thing in his life: God. The playmaker is very religious and speaks particularly earnestly and thoughtfully on this topic, giving long answers. He tells the media group that this year he focused primarily on the 23rd Psalm of the Bible. God is my guide. According to him, “I already have everything I need from the Good Shepherd and Jesus.” Simplicity is a key element in Purdy's journey. It's also what he surprises America, which only knows sensationalism from the NFL.

“I've never tried to stick tight to a football career,” says Purdy shortly before finally being allowed to escape the media circle. “Let's see what God has in store for me. I've been faithful to Him and He's taken me places I never imagined.” One is Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Can the brave NFL seamstress out there pass all the tests the Chiefs throw at him? Mr. Those who still doubt this possibility of being transformed from irrelevant to Mr. Important should quickly pick up Grimm's entire works.