After the Victory Over the Giants, QB Mac Jones Moves the NFL Community with a Moment of Tribute to Brock Purdy Amid a Wave of Criticism Aimed at His Injured Teammate
San Francisco – 3/11/2025
After the San Francisco 49ers’ 34-24 victory over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, fans were not only talking about the impressive performance on the field but were also moved by the deeply humane moment from quarterback Mac Jones dedicated to Brock Purdy — who is recovering from injury and facing much criticism in recent times.

Right when the final whistle sounded, Jones walked toward the sideline area. He stepped into the end zone area where reporters were pointing cameras at him, raised his hand to form the number 13 — Purdy’s jersey number, and said briefly: “Respect him.” Then, Jones handed his jersey to a young 49ers fan holding a sign “We Believe in Brock,” then pointed to the sky as a message to his absent teammate.
That moment spread rapidly on social media, moving the NFL community. Many fans admitted they had “goosebumps,” especially in the context of Purdy becoming the target of ridicule from a portion of fans and media after an inconsistent performance streak early in the season.
In the post-game press conference, Mac Jones shared candidly: “Brock has done so much for this team. Not everyone understands the pressure when you become the focal point and have to carry expectations every week. I just want everyone to remember that he is a fighter and a leader. I’m just continuing what he built.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan also expressed pride in the team spirit in the locker room. “We believe in both of them. Brock is fighting to come back, and Mac is doing everything to keep the team moving forward. This is an organization based on trust, not competing for the spotlight.”
Many 49ers fans and even fans of other teams praised Jones’ action as “true leadership class” and “the most beautiful moment of the week.”
While Purdy’s status is expected to be updated in Week 11, Jones’ message has created strong unity within the 49ers — and added faith for fans that the team is not only strong on the field but also possesses a winning culture based on respect and camaraderie.
An important victory for San Francisco. But more than that, it is a victory for humanity in sports.













