49ers name Brock Purdy among others as 2023 team captains
Sep 7, 2023, 8:13 AM | Updated: 8:40 am
Jeff Bottari/Getty Images
Amongst the chaos of the Nick Bosa news Wednesday was the fact that the 49ers named their six team captains for the 2023 season. That included second-year quarterback Brock Purdy.
The San Francisco 49ers made their starting QB a team captain for 2023, taking over the mantle from Jimmy Garoppolo the last few seasons. The other 49ers’ captains include left tackle Trent Williams, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, linebacker Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
While many may be surprised by Purdy’s inclusion this year, the team voted him in, showing that his play last season inspired the group to achieve even greater things this season. Purdy’s demeanor may seem shy at first glance, but once he got in the game, his ability to lead the team was apparent to the coaching staff.
⭐️ 2023 team captains ⭐️
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 6, 2023
“Yeah, I do. I definitely do,” coach Kyle Shanahan said about Purdy being viewed as a leader. “It’s when you go out and you play like he did last year, that’s what it is. I mean, it’s hard to be seen as a leader when you haven’t been out there before. Guys can think you’re a leader, you can act like a leader, but guys don’t follow many people who don’t produce on the field and I think that’s why he got so many votes this year because I think they believed in him and felt he was one of the leaders last year.
A leader can come in various shades, with some players being more vocal, while others lead by example. Brock Purdy is in the latter, showing his willingness to compete to be the best day-in-and-day-out.
It didn’t come easy for the former Mr. Irrelevant though, having to claw his way onto the depth chart in 2022. But once he got his opportunity, there was no looking back.
“Not because he’s being some vet and talking to guys a certain way, just because of how he prepares, that they can count on him and how he handled a number of situations when he got in there,” Shanahan stated.
Also joining the QB as a first-time captain is Deebo Samuel, who earned the honor for his work ethic over the summer. Samuel vowed to make up for a disappointing 2022, getting in the best shape of his career as he enters his fifth year in the NFL.
Click here to read more on the 49ers’ 2023 team captains.
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