How Brock Purdy’s college career prepared 49ers QB for national fame, criticism

Brock Purdy was a lightly recruited quarterback known as the top high school player in Arizona.And as the four-year starting quarterback at Iowa State, he knew eyeballs always were on him when he ventured out in Ames, Iowa.But what he has experienced since arriving on the scene with the 49ers in 2022 is a different level of fame.There has been little to criticize since Purdy entered the 49ers’ starting lineup, but contrarians get clicks, and Purdy is the perfect target for hot takes.He might not pay attention to any criticism or disrespect, but some of it gets back to him.“That’s just the nature of what comes with the sport,” Purdy told NBC Sports Bay Area. “You’re playing a professional sport in the NFL. There’s going to be people who have an opinion. If they didn’t have an opinion, they wouldn’t have a job. And so that’s OK.“But, for me, all that matters is understanding who I am.”Purdy said his focus remains on doing everything in his power to provide 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and his teammates with job performances that lead to victories.“I come in here every single day ready to work, and I’m...