The question of NFL quarterback Brock Purdy’s heritage has been a topic of interest, and recent confirmations have shed light on his Armenian roots. This article explores his confirmed ancestry, family connections, and his historic Super Bowl appearance.
How was Brock Purdy’s Armenian heritage confirmed?
Initial speculation about Brock Purdy’s potential Armenian roots arose from discussions around family surnames. The confirmation came in January 2023, when ASN (Armenian Sports News) contributor Jason Sarkis received a direct message response on social media from Chubba Purdy, Brock’s younger brother who is also a quarterback. In response to a query about one of their grandmothers’ maiden names being “Toufankjian,” Chubba Purdy replied, “Yes that is all true! We are Armenian!” This public acknowledgment by a family member solidified the claims of their Armenian descent.
Who is Brock Purdy’s Armenian grandmother and what are the family roots?
The Armenian ancestry is on Brock Purdy’s paternal grandmother’s side. Further research indicates that Brock’s paternal grandmother (mother of Shawn Purdy) is the daughter of John Arthur Cannon and Carrie Lucille Cabe.
John Arthur Cannon was an ethnic Armenian whose family originated from Sivas, Turkey (a region historically part of Western Armenia with a significant Armenian population before the Genocide). John Arthur Cannon’s parents were Arthur Malcolm Cannon and Alma Toofangian (also spelled Toufankjian). Both Arthur Malcolm Cannon and Alma Toofangian were reportedly refugees of the Armenian Genocide. It appears the surname “Cannon” may have been an Anglicization or adaptation of an original Armenian surname upon arrival in the United States, a common practice for immigrants during that era. The name “Toofangian/Toufankjian” (ԹուֆանՔճյան / Թյուֆենքճյան) itself is Armenian, typically meaning “son of a gunsmith” or “son of a rifle maker.”
This lineage means Brock Purdy has Armenian heritage passed down through his father from his paternal grandmother.
What is Brock Purdy’s ethnicity?
Brock Purdy is an American of mixed ethnicity. With the confirmation of his paternal grandmother’s Armenian roots, his ethnicity includes Armenian heritage. His parents are Shawn and Carrie Purdy, and his other ancestral lines contribute to his overall ethnic background, which likely includes English and other European ancestries common in the United States.
Is Chubba Purdy (Brock Purdy’s brother) also Armenian?
Yes, as confirmed by Chubba Purdy himself, he shares the same Armenian heritage as his older brother, Brock. Their Armenian roots come from the same paternal grandmother.
Brock Purdy’s Historic Super Bowl LVIII Appearance
Brock Purdy made a significant mark in NFL history beyond his “Mr. Irrelevant” draft story. In February 2024, he led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada, against the Kansas City Chiefs. In doing so, he became the first known quarterback of Armenian descent to play in a Super Bowl.
Although the 49ers were narrowly defeated by the Chiefs 25-22 in overtime (the second Super Bowl to be decided in overtime), Purdy delivered a solid performance, throwing 23-for-38 for 255 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His journey to the Super Bowl also highlighted his impressive early-career playoff success; by that point, Brock Purdy had accumulated more playoff game wins (4) than all eight quarterbacks drafted before him in the 2022 NFL Draft combined.
This achievement adds another layer to his compelling story and is a point of pride for many Armenian-Americans and Armenians worldwide.