Though the San Francisco 49ers have not made the Super Bowl LX, there are still some great stories behind the American Football Conference and National Football Conference champions!
2025 was unique in that both NFC Championship opponents were from the NFC West Division; almost like an NFC West Title Game! The 49ers, a playoff team in 2025, added to the pre-season hype of the strength of the NFC West Division.
As part of the Library's SJ26 celebration, learn about the two extraordinary quarterbacks who have led their teams in 2025 from disappointing 2024 season records to "The Big Game."
The quarterbacks are being introduced alphabetically, so as to not show any favoritism. Honestly, I'd be happy if either team wins because both have such interesting back stories!
Sam Darnold
Like a Phoenix, He Rose Past Challenges in New York, Carolina, and Minnesota
"Darnold helped rebuild his career with the 49ers in 2023 as a seldom-used but $4.5 million backup to Brock Purdy, signing a one-year contract worth $10 million as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings and going 14-3. Then it was on to Seattle, where he cashed in on a three-year deal worth a maximum of $100.5 million."
“Brock’s been amazing. I can’t speak highly enough of him, just with what he taught me,” Darnold said. “I learned so much from him, with his study habits and what he did on the field. Brock’s been great to learn from over that year when I was with him in San Francisco.”
Drake Maye
Makes His Own Mark in a Championship Family
New England Patriot's quarterback, Drake Maye was not even playing when his team last visited Levi's Stadium. A veteran quarterback, Jacoby Brissett led the Patriots to a 30-13 loss to the 49ers on September 29, 2024.
Of note at this game were the many fans who had cobbled together Patriot jerseys with Maye's name on them. Using duct tape and a prayer, these fans happily braved a warm summer day to cheer on their beloved Patriots with their makeshift Maye jerseys!
I wondered why there was such devotion to an unproven player like Drake Maye. What I discovered about his family was amazing! His brothers have won championships in two other sports: baseball and basketball!
Maye's older brother Luke won a March Madness game with his team the North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels in 2017. In the last 0.3 seconds of the game, he made the jump shot that won the game against Kentucky in the Elite Eight part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's March Madness Basketball Tournament. The Tar Heels eventually made it to the Final Four and the Championship game, where they beat the Gonzaga College Bulldogs 71-65.
As a freshman, Maye's older brother Cole was a part of the University of Florida Gators team that won the 2017 NCAA College World Series. He was a pitcher that year.
He and his brothers were most competitive when they were growing up.
Maye's fiercely competitive nature will be used pointedly against the National Football League's number one defense in 2025: the Seattle Seahawks!
You might be wondering, "is there a way for me to celebrate Super Bowl LX at the Library?"
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