It started as a single comment on a random TikTok video in late 2023. Someone—probably just scrolling through their FYP during a lunch break—remarked that a 16-year-old tennis player from Utah looked exactly like the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback.
That teenager was Anna Frey. The quarterback, of course, was Brock Purdy.
What happened next is basically the blueprint for how modern internet fame works. It wasn't just a passing "hey, they look alike" moment. It turned into a full-blown cultural crossover that landed a high schooler at Super Bowl LVIII and eventually helped fuel a massive NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) valuation for her as she headed to college.
No, They Aren’t Actually Related
Let's get the biggest misconception out of the way immediately: Brock Purdy and Anna Frey are not related. They aren’t siblings. She isn't his secret daughter (the math doesn't even work there, guys). They don't share a hometown. Purdy is from Arizona and Frey is a Utah native. The "long-lost sister" narrative is purely a meme, though it’s one that even Purdy’s own family leaned into.
When the 49ers clinched their spot in the Super Bowl after beating the Lions in the NFC Championship, Brock's brother, Chubba Purdy, was caught on camera shouting, "Anna Frey is going to the Super Bowl!"
That 10-second clip was the gasoline on the fire.
Frey, who was already a high-level tennis recruit at Farmington High School, saw her following explode. We’re talking millions of views and a follower count that shot past the one-million mark on TikTok almost overnight. Honestly, the resemblance is pretty striking when you see them side-by-side, especially the facial structure and that "baby-faced" look both of them share. Even Brock admitted it during a Super Bowl opening night press conference, laughing that if she "turns sideways a little bit," he can see the resemblance.
Who is Anna Frey Outside of the Meme?
It’s kinda easy to dismiss her as just "the girl who looks like the Niners QB," but she’s actually a serious athlete.
Frey wasn’t some random influencer; she was the No. 1-ranked junior tennis player in Utah and a blue-chip recruit nationally. In 2024, she was ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the entire country for the class of 2026 (though she ended up moving her timeline).
By early 2026, she had officially joined the University of North Carolina women’s tennis program. If you know college tennis, you know the Tar Heels are the "Alabama football" of that world. They don't just take anyone.
The most fascinating part of her story is the money. While most high school athletes struggle to land meaningful NIL deals, Frey used the Purdy momentum to sign with:
- Six Star Pro Nutrition (who actually flew her to the Super Bowl)
- American Eagle
- FILA
- Head USA
- Nerds (the candy)
By the time she stepped onto the UNC campus, her NIL valuation was estimated at over $680,000. That’s more than some NFL practice squad players make. She’s currently ranked among the top 10 most valuable female college athletes in terms of social media reach and brand power.
The "Purdy Effect" and the Super Bowl Cameo
The peak of this crossover happened in Las Vegas at Super Bowl LVIII.
While the world was focused on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, a smaller but very vocal corner of the internet was tracking Frey. She attended the game in a Purdy jersey, sitting with her mom, Jennie, and basically acting as the unofficial mascot for the "Niner Faithful" who lived on TikTok.
There was even a funny moment later on when John Deere featured her in a commercial alongside Purdy. It was the first real "official" acknowledgement where the two were tied together in a professional marketing sense. It was a genius move. They knew exactly who their target audience was: people who spend way too much time looking at memes on their phones.
Why This Matters for Sports Marketing
The Brock Purdy and Anna Frey situation changed how brands look at "viral moments." Usually, a lookalike meme lasts about 48 hours. This one lasted years.
Why? Because Frey had the talent to back it up. If she was just a random person who looked like Brock, the fame would have faded. But because she was an elite athlete herself, the narrative became about "two winners who happen to look alike."
Common Questions People Still Ask
Are they actually friends?
They’ve acknowledged each other and shared a few digital nods, but they aren't best friends hanging out on the weekends. Brock is busy leading a Super Bowl-caliber offense, and Anna is busy trying to win a national title at UNC.
Does she still lean into the meme?
Sorta. She's definitely focused more on her tennis career now that she’s at North Carolina, but she’s smart enough to know that the Purdy connection is what built her "house." You’ll still see the occasional nod to it in her comments, and she handles it with a lot of grace.
Was Brock Purdy annoyed by it?
Not at all. By all accounts, he’s one of the most humble guys in the NFL. He took it in stride, joked about it with his teammates, and let the internet do its thing.
What You Should Do Next
If you're following this story for the sports side of things, keep an eye on the UNC Women’s Tennis schedule. Anna Frey is likely going to be a force in the NCAA for the next few years.
For those interested in the business side, use Frey as a case study. She’s the perfect example of how to:
- Identify a viral moment early.
- Lean into it without being "cringe."
- Pivot that attention toward your actual talent (tennis) to build long-term value.
The Brock Purdy lookalike era might be over its initial "shock" phase, but the brand Anna Frey built from it is just getting started. It’s a weird, wild world when a TikTok comment can fund a college career, but here we are.