49ers QB Brock Purdy explains his viral moment vs. Packers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter in a NFC divisional-round game at Levi’s Stadium.

He gained attention during last Saturday’s divisional playoff against the Green Bay Packers when Fox cameras captured him drying his hands after the snap in rainy game conditions. Purdy provided a straightforward clarification about his unique actions when talking with NFL insider Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated.

“There were spurts of the rain coming down somewhat heavy and then other times where it was just sprinkling and we were able to get a grip on it and throw,” Purdy told Breer. “The field was wet. When my center would snap the ball, I would sometimes get a wet ball. That’s when I think I wiped it a couple of times as I’m dropping.”

Despite completing 23 of 39 passes for 252 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions against Green Bay, Purdy faced visible challenges handling the weather conditions. However, he found his rhythm in a crucial late-game drive, connecting on 6 of 7 pass attempts for 47 yards to secure the victory.

Jennifer Lee Chan from NBC Sports Bay Area highlighted that despite attempting to wear a glove on his throwing hand, the 24-year-old Purdy discarded it before making crucial throws in the thrilling 24-21 victory. Purdy acknowledged the weather’s impact, stating, “Got to find a way. Definitely played a factor in the beginning. That’s football.”

Nervous San Francisco fans can take comfort in the NFL Weather and RotoWire websites forecasting relatively dry conditions at Levi’s Stadium for this Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions.

Also on Tuesday, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Niners as seven-point favorites to defeat the Lions and advance to Super Bowl LVIII.