Brock Purdy makes his own luck.

A three-star recruit from Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, began his college career as a third-choice quarterback out of Iowa State.

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Due to a combination of injury and poor play, he was given an opportunity and led Iowa to four straight season wins, a first for the program.

But the three-time All-Big 12 QB, who broke 32 school records, was branded Mr. Irrelevant after joining San Francisco 49ers with the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He found himself at third again and got his chance again when the guys above him failed, including Jimmy Garroppolo and Trey Lance, the third pick of his own draft class.

Since then, Purdy hasn’t given up his starting spot and number 13 jerseys are a common sight in the Bay Area, and Purdy is also in line for a big contract.

At the end of this season he will enter the final 12 months of his four-year rookie contract.

Why did Brock Purdy choose the number 13 jersey?

Why did he dial that number? In honor of his father’s favorite QB Shawn.

“My dad grew up a Miami Dolphins fan and he loved Dan Marino,” Purdy revealed. “Growing up, my dad always tried to teach me to throw with a quick motion like Dan Marino.

“I asked myself, ‘What number was he? And he said 13. So I was always 13.”

While the number is unfortunate for some, Purdy has enjoyed some good breaks but also adversity in the UCL tear that ended his NFC Championship game after four passes in 2023.

When Brock Purdy met his idol Dan Marino

Purdy was 19 days old when Dan Marino threw the last pass of his NFL career on January 15, 2000.

He met his idol before a game against the USA on Thursday evening new York Giants last year thanks to another former Dolphins passer, Ryan Fitzpatrick.

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“It’s an honor, man,” Purdy said as he was greeted by Marino. “My father, I mean, he loved you as a child.

“I’m a size 13 and it’s all because of you man, I appreciate it.”

Purdy was born on December 27, 1999, a day Marino started against the Jets.

“My dad always said I got to see you play the day I was born,” he said.

Marino remembers putting on a show for his youngest fan – throwing for 322 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-31 loss.

Purdy grew up with a poster of Marino and autographed football from the Hall of Famer in his room.

“Dan Marino is just a winner,” Purdy told the Des Moines Register in 2018. “He does whatever it takes to win. He elevates the play of his teammates around him.”

“When I go back and look at his highlights and things he did, I try to apply that to the way I play.”

How many Super Bowls has Dan Marino won?

Marino threw for over 60,000 yards during his career and led the league in passing five times.

But he never won a Super Bowl — perhaps the greatest player never to do so.

Incredibly, Purdy made as many Super Bowl appearances as the man he idolized as a child, and both lost in their only trip to the big game.

The rising star has plenty of time to surpass the all-time greats, and one day another quarterback could wear the number because his 49ers-loving father was a huge Purdy fan.