Grit: The Importance of Unwavering Belief

Brock Purdy’s journey from being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant,” to signing a five-year, $265 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers in May 2025 is a masterclass in resiliency, grit, and determination. His story offers powerful lessons for life and business, illustrating how underdogs can rise through hard work, adaptability, and a growth mindset.

1. Resiliency: Bouncing Back from Setbacks

Lesson: Resilience means thriving despite adversity, turning obstacles into opportunities.

Purdy’s Example: Purdy started as the third-string quarterback for the 49ers. Injuries to the two QB’s ahead of him forced the team to play him. All he did from that point on was lead the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game.

Life Application: Setbacks—like being overlooked or facing unexpected challenges—are inevitable. Resilience involves staying focused and performing under pressure, whether it’s a job loss, a failed project, or personal hardship. Purdy’s ability to step up when the odds were stacked against him shows that setbacks are setups for comebacks if you keep pushing forward.

Business Application: Companies face market shifts, economic downturns, or internal crises. Resilient leaders adapt, like Purdy did, by focusing on what they can control—execution and preparation. For example, a startup might pivot its product strategy after initial failures, much like Purdy adjusted to a depleted roster in 2024.

2. Grit: Sustained Effort Over Time

Lesson: Grit is the relentless pursuit of goals through hard work and perseverance, even when the spotlight isn’t on you.

Purdy’s Example: As the last draft pick, Purdy wasn’t expected to see the field. Yet, he prepared meticulously, studying playbooks and refining his mechanics alone, even drawing inspiration from baseball pitchers to improve his throwing motion. His dedication paid off, and his grit earned him the trust of teammates and coaches.

Life Application: Success often comes from unglamorous, consistent effort. Whether training for a marathon or learning a new skill, grit means showing up daily, even when results aren’t immediate. Purdy’s quiet work ethic reminds us that small, disciplined actions compound into big wins.

Business Application: In business, grit translates to long-term commitment to a vision. Entrepreneurs like those behind small agencies, as noted in Purdy-inspired marketing lessons, can outlast larger competitors by consistently delivering value and refining their craft, even with limited resources.

3. Determination: Defying Expectations

Lesson: Determination fuels the drive to prove doubters wrong, turning underdog status into a strength.

Purdy’s Example: Labeled “not a very good athlete” by all scouts. In spite of his contributions to date, even last week critics felt Purdy was not a great QB and lacked conventional quarterback traits like height or arm strength. His $265 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in 49ers history, reflects his ability to shatter the “Mr. Irrelevant” stereotype.

Life Application: External labels or low expectations don’t define your potential. Determination means focusing on your strengths and proving your worth through results, whether it’s overcoming a tough upbringing or breaking into a competitive field.

Business Application: Businesses often face skepticism, especially startups or smaller firms. Purdy’s story mirrors how niche companies can outperform by leveraging unique strengths, like agility or specialized expertise, to challenge industry giants.

4. Adaptability: Thriving in Unpredictable Conditions

Lesson: Success requires adjusting to changing circumstances with composure and creativity. Teammates will get injured, and weather conditions will not be optimal. Yesterday’s success does not guarantee tomorrow’s. 

Business Application: Markets evolve, and businesses must pivot. Purdy’s adaptability reflects how companies can innovate, like adopting AI tools or rethinking supply chains, when faced with disruptions. His ability to perform without a full roster shows leaders how to maximize limited resources.

5. Humility and Growth Mindset: Embracing Feedback

Lesson: Staying open to coaching and self-improvement accelerates success.

Purdy’s Example: Coach Kyle Shanahan praised Purdy’s humility, noting he “just wants to be coached” without needing constant praise. This growth mindset allowed Purdy to refine his skills, integrating feedback to improve his mechanics and decision-making, showing his focus on improvement over complacency.

Life Application: A growth mindset means seeking feedback and viewing challenges as learning opportunities. Whether in relationships or personal goals, humility allows you to grow faster by acknowledging areas for improvement.

Business Application: Leaders who embrace feedback build stronger teams. Purdy’s coachability mirrors how businesses can foster innovation by encouraging open dialogue and iterative processes, like tech firms using beta testing to refine products.

6. Leadership: Earning Trust Through Action

Lesson: True leadership emerges from performance and reliability, not titles.

Purdy’s Example: Purdy won over the 49ers’ locker room with his toughness and preparation. 49ers GM John Lynch called him “the leader of our team, and nothing he does is irrelevant!”

Life Application: Leadership isn’t about being the loudest, most prominent, largest, or the one in the front. It’s the one that moves the needle and makes the impact both subtle and substantial, even when it’s not initially obvious to all. Like Purdy, you earn trust by showing up consistently and delivering results, whether in a community group or family role.

Business Application: In organizations, leaders emerge by building trust through action. Purdy’s story shows how managers can inspire teams by modeling accountability and resilience, especially during transitions like mergers or restructurings.

7. Seizing Opportunities: Being Ready When the Moment Comes

Lesson: Preparation meets opportunity to create success.

Purdy’s Example: Purdy was ready when injuries elevated him from third-string to starter. This readiness led to a 27-15 playoff record, a Super Bowl appearance, and a contract that jumped his annual salary from $934,000 to $53 million.

Life Application: Opportunities often come unexpectedly. Staying prepared—through education, practice, or networking—ensures you can capitalize when the moment arrives, like landing a dream job or acing a presentation.

Business Application: Businesses must be poised to seize market gaps. Purdy’s readiness reflects how companies can scale quickly by having systems or talent in place, like a retailer capitalizing on a viral product trend.

8. Handling Pressure: Staying Calm in the Storm

Lesson: Composure under pressure unlocks high-stakes performance.

Purdy’s Example: Steve Young highlighted Purdy’s rare ability to stay calm, noting his “heart rate goes down” under pressure. His favorite quote, “Pressure is a privilege,” encapsulates this mindset.

Life Application: High-pressure situations, like financial fluctuations, public speaking, or family crises, test your mettle. Developing stress-management techniques, like mindfulness or prioritization, helps you perform when it counts.

Business Application: Leaders face make-or-break moments, like pitching to investors or navigating PR crises. Purdy’s poise suggests businesses can succeed by fostering calm decision-making, such as through scenario planning or crisis training.

Broader Implications for Life and Business

Purdy’s story, from earning $2.6 million over three years to a $53 million annual salary, underscores that success isn’t about where you start but how you respond to challenges. His contract, finalized on May 16, 2025, reflects the 49ers’ belief in his leadership, despite a tough 2024 season, showing that trust is earned through consistent effort. For individuals, this means embracing your unique journey, using setbacks as fuel, and staying ready for your shot. For businesses, it’s about valuing unconventional talent, building resilient systems, and rewarding those who deliver under pressure.

Final Takeaway: Brock Purdy’s rise teaches that resiliency, grit, determination, adaptability, humility, leadership, readiness, and composure are universal drivers of success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, or individual chasing a goal, his journey from “Mr. Irrelevant” to NFL elite proves that with the right mindset, even the longest odds can lead to extraordinary outcomes.