Thursday night is not just Shortstop Brock Purdy’s first week in the NFL, but his first experience at Seattle Seahawks Lumen Field. No matter what happens, the rookie quarterback will be equipped.
“I think that’s probably the most hostile environment you can play in,” Purdy said on Tuesday. “Either here, or [Kansas City Chiefs] Arrowhead so I’m excited about that. All of these guys have played here many times, so just hear them out, what’s good and what’s not, in terms of connectivity and playability.
“We will be ready to deal with it.”
The Iowa product, who is dealing with a rib and oblique injury, is trying to recover enough to play Thursday night. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said there is an opportunity for that Purdy may not be healthy enough to play. Regardless of whether Purdy or veteran Josh Johnson takes the field on Thursday night, the coach knows they need to be ready for the environment.
“Going to Seattle, I don’t think I’ve been anywhere higher than there,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “We know what their fans are like, we know what that ballpark is like. You have to be prepared for that.” You can’t expect to be able to hear, not only at the line of scrimmage, but also in the rallies many times.
“Play there is a big difference.”
Purdy played a large number of road games in his four seasons as the starting quarterback at Iowa. The rookie shared that rowdier environment, in Norman, Oklahoma when he was facing the University of Oklahoma.
“Every time we’ve gone down there, it’s always been a great game and these guys, I feel like they were breathing down our necks,” Purdy said. “There were over 90,000 people there. You really can’t hear yourself thinking. This was probably one of the best environments I’ve ever played in.”
With crowd noise being such an important factor in Seattle, Purdy will need to do everything he can to make sure calls at the rally are accurately communicated. Aside from a few errors in the Iowa product’s debut Sunday in Week 14, Purdy did a commendable job relaying extended play calls, Shanahan said.
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Purdy understands the magnitude of Thursday night’s game. With the win, the 49ers would clinch the division and move one step closer to a second seed and home field advantage in the postseason. The 22-year-old is looking forward to the challenge of Seattle’s hostile environment and hopes he will be healthy to play.
“This is the best of the best, and for me, I see it as a challenge,” Purdy said. “I can prove to myself that I belong here and I can play here and do all these things – the challenges of being disruptive and being able to perform. Especially in a crucial part of the season where it’s going to take what it takes.
“There’s no regrets about moving on. Or anything like that, I want to be on the road. I want to make sure I’m giving my all right now. It’s a huge challenge for me.”
Purdy will probably be the game-time decision for the 49ers, but nothing will stop a rookie from wanting to play.
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