- Editor’s Note: 49ers Talk’s original series “Mr. Relevant: Brock Purdy’s NFL Story” takes the QB’s incredible journey from 2022 NFL Draft final pick to Bay Area superstar through his eyes and those closest to him. It details through people, mothers and fathers.
Exactly six months after elbow surgery, Brock Purdy will be thanked by his father when he returns to the NFL field on Sunday.
Sean Purdy 8-year minor league pitcher In the 1990s, he partially tore the UCL in his pitching arm before the 1993 season with the Angels and required a lengthy rehabilitation period before he could play again. Thirty years later, after the young 49ers quarterback completely tore the UCL in his arm during a game last season on a throw, he used that experience to help his son. NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia.
“You can ask him, ‘Hey, what do I have to do?’ and go ask him for advice,” Brock Purdy told NBC Sports Bay Area in a recent interview. . “And the biggest thing he says is, ‘It takes patience.’
Sean Purdy called people he knew, some of whom had been in rehab, to help him understand what was in store for him. He reviewed and approved a recovery schedule brainstormed by medical professionals for Brock, who underwent surgery on March 10.
“[My UCL injury] It wasn’t that serious, but I know a lot of rehab patients, and the ones I’ve had [Keith Coker] It’s great,” Sean Purdy told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s the first person I turned to. The rehabilitation part is very important.”
Young Purdy wasn’t known for his perseverance, but he knew that following the program was paramount. That included everything from taking scheduled vacations and counting every pitch he threw in practice to getting enough sleep to allow his body to recuperate.
“Obviously for myself, for doctors, for professionals in this industry, that’s the reality,” Brock Purdy said. “They do the surgery, they do the rehab, they know what’s best. So I trust them, I believe in the timing and healing of my arm. must be trusted.
“I wanted to get every little thing right I could. Sleep, eat right, take vitamins, make sure my diet is right, exercise when I can, every little thing. Trying to do things right.”
Brock and the 49ers followed that schedule closely, including a “load reduction” that allowed half the number of pitches thrown since late July, less than 20 weeks after the game, when full practice was allowed with “no restrictions.” weeks were included. Just eight weeks after having surgery and starting a pitching program with regulation-sized footballs. By mid-August, he was cleared to pitch in three straight practice games, as he did during the regular season, and appeared in the final two preseason games in San Francisco, completing 9-of-14 passes for 138 yards. obtained.
“Just because you went to practice today doesn’t mean you can win the Super Bowl right now or anything like that,” Bullock said. “Every day you have to put your head down to work. Do the little things right so your arms can rest and recover.
“When it’s time to go to practice, practice. When it’s not, don’t. There’s a process to it. Of course I want to be ready for Game 1 and I want to give it my all. I think
This weekend in Pittsburgh, Purdy will be able to show the NFL world that he is fully recovered and ready for more success in his second professional season.
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