Brock Purdy Balances NFL Stardom With Family Joy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s meteoric rise in the NFL has been nothing short of remarkable. From being the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to becoming one of the league’s most reliable postseason performers, Purdy’s journey is a story that continues to captivate fans and analysts alike. But as the 49ers gear up for another crucial playoff run, there’s another side to Purdy’s life that’s drawing attention: his growing family and the unwavering support that’s fueled his success both on and off the field.

It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, Purdy was breaking records at Iowa State, where he became the winningest quarterback in Cyclones history and rewrote the program’s record books 32 times over. But it wasn’t just football that defined his college years. It was also where he met Jenna Brandt, a standout volleyball setter for the Iowa State Cyclones. Their friendship, forged through the grind of collegiate athletics, would eventually become the foundation for a partnership that’s now the talk of the NFL’s tight-knit community of players and families.

Jenna, who played 41 matches for Iowa State from 2018 to 2020 before transferring to the University of Northern Iowa for her final NCAA season in 2021, understands what it takes to compete at the highest level. Purdy himself has been quick to credit his wife’s athletic background as a key pillar of support. “I think she understands just the schedule, what it takes to be great as an athlete and what that entails,” Purdy said in October, reflecting on their shared experiences. “More than anything, she’s been the biggest launchpad and supporter for me in my life. And she has done everything to help me be who I am. And so I’m very appreciative of her for that.”

Despite meeting as freshmen in 2018, Brock and Jenna kept things strictly platonic during their college years, remaining “casually acquainted through sports,” according to Southern Bride. But the NFL has a way of changing lives overnight. When Purdy was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, he realized he didn’t want distance to drive them apart. Taking a leap of faith, they started a long-distance relationship that blossomed into something deeper. By March 2024, the couple had tied the knot in Des Moines, Iowa, surrounded by family and friends who had watched their relationship grow from the sidelines.

“Best day of our lives,” Jenna wrote on Instagram after the wedding. “I get to call my best friend my HUSBAND for forever and ever!!!!” The couple’s honeymoon in Turks and Caicos was a brief respite before the whirlwind of NFL life resumed. But through it all, Brock and Jenna have leaned on their Christian faith, which they frequently reference as the cornerstone of their relationship. “Jenna Joleen Purdy. My wife,” Brock posted on April 1, 2024. “No matter the circumstances in our life, Jesus will always be our firm foundation. I love you JP. Ecclesiastes 4:12.”

Their bond was tested and strengthened with the arrival of their daughter, Millie Joleen Purdy, in July 2025. The news of Millie’s birth was kept mostly under wraps, with Jenna sharing the first photos on Instagram on July 28, 2025. “Millie Joleen Purdy Life just became a whole lot sweeter,” she wrote, introducing the newest member of the Purdy family to the world. Jenna later posted an old photo of her baby bump, revealing that the pregnancy had been “Our little secret🤍.”

For Brock, becoming a father has brought a new perspective to his life and career. “I still really can’t describe it,” Purdy shared during an August 1 media session, as reported by 49ers.com’s Briana Jeannel. “Just how awesome it is coming home and seeing little baby girl and holding her and her sleeping on me. There’s nothing better. No gift can compare. And seeing Jenna and how she’s been awesome as a mom, just all of it all together. It’s so good.”

The timing of Millie’s arrival couldn’t have been more dramatic, coinciding with the early stages of 49ers training camp. Purdy recalled the anticipation and the moment he realized it was time to step away from football, if only briefly. “Every single morning I’d wake up and go about my day like normal, just waiting for Jenna to send that text,” Purdy recounted during a press conference, according to Yahoo Sports. “Then that morning she had her doula over, and they said, ‘No, this baby’s coming today.’ I called Coach [Kyle] Shanahan and [QB coach Mick Lombardi] and told them I couldn’t make it in. They were great— they said, ‘Enjoy it. Be there for her.’ And sure enough, our baby came that day.”

Since Millie’s birth, the Purdy family has become a beloved fixture among the 49ers’ wives and girlfriends (WAGs), with Jenna and Millie frequently spotted at games, cheering on Brock from the stands. Social media has lit up with praise for the youngest Purdy, with Kristin Juszczyk, wife of fullback Kyle Juszczyk, declaring, “The real star of the show is Millie girl.” Olivia Culpo, wife of star running back Christian McCaffrey, chimed in with “Team Millie!!!!!!” while McCaffrey’s mother, Lisa, added, “Millie won the day! MVP Millie!”

The warm embrace from the 49ers community has only added to the positive energy surrounding the team as they prepared for their NFC divisional playoff showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. The stakes couldn’t be higher: with a win, Purdy would notch his sixth playoff victory in just four seasons, tying him with legends Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes for the second-most postseason wins by a quarterback in NFL history—trailing only Russell Wilson’s seven. The game, played at Lumen Field in Seattle on January 17, 2026, had fans on the edge of their seats, with the winner set to face either the Los Angeles Rams or Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game.

But for all the talk of records and Super Bowl aspirations, it’s clear that Brock Purdy’s greatest victories are happening off the field. The support of Jenna, the joy of fatherhood, and the camaraderie of the 49ers family have given him a foundation that goes beyond football. As Purdy himself put it, “No gift can compare.”

With the NFC playoffs heating up and the Purdy family’s story capturing hearts, all eyes remain on San Francisco’s star quarterback—not just for his arm, but for the strength and grace he brings to every aspect of his life. As the 49ers continue their quest for a championship, there’s no doubt that the Purdy family will be right there, cheering every step of the way.