Sunday’s NFL Great Moment: Baker Mayfield and Brock Purdy

This past Sunday, Fox NFL televised a great football game featuring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. the San Francisco 49ers. The game was well played by both teams, and the score of 27 to 14 in favor of the 49ers barely suggests just how in-doubt the game remained well into the 4th quarter.

Second-year quarterback (virtually an NFL rookie) Brock Purdy was having, already, a career day leading the 49ers to the win. He went 21 of 25 passes completed, for 333 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Quite a day. On the opposing side of the line, was the Buccaneer’s fine quarterback, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield’s many credentials include the 2017 Heisman Trophy at the University of Oklahoma.

As the game progressed in the second half with the 49ers leading, Mayfield established a great passing rhythm which steadily moved the Bucs up and down the field, all the while threatening the niner’s lead. A couple of bad breaks downfield for the Buc’s sealed their fate to the obvious disappointment of Mayfield.

Although being a big fan of the niners and Brock Purdy, in particular, I nevertheless felt badly, as the clock expired, for Baker Mayfield given his fine, valiant effort.

As various players from both teams mingled on the field, afterward, my eye caught an over-the-shoulder camera shot from behind Purdy revealing a faint image of Mayfield obviously trying to wade through the throng to reach Purdy. I immediately focused on what I believed then transpired – a fellow warrior making a gracious effort to congratulate his victorious opponent.

Indeed, that is what apparently took place. Mayfield approached Purdy with a smile on his face, the kind of expression that suggests a very friendly overture. The brief conversation struck me as something much more than the typically brief pat on the shoulder coupled with a “nice game” comment. This looked to me much more like, “helluva game, young man!” Indeed, it was another amazing performance for a near rookie quarterback who was the last NFL draft pick (Iowa State) two seasons ago.

The NFL is a rough, tough arena where sentimentality takes a distinct back seat to the business of “getting results” and moving forward. Grown men invest themselves in the sport, often at a high price. Personal health and well-being are placed on the line by these players every opening kickoff in the NFL They know the risks they are taking; it takes special character to embrace the risks and vicissitudes it takes to play all-out every NFL game day. Champions do that.

I was much impressed and gratified to briefly glimpse the very human side of the sport the other night. Kudos to Baker Mayfield.