If he performs within an area code of the hype, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo soon could be the (extremely handsome) face of the NFL.
“If he lives up to expectations, he could become the top endorser in football. He has no ceiling at this point,” said sports marketing expert Bob Dorfman.
It’s easy to see the appeal, unless, perhaps, you’re an NFL defensive back. Garoppolo, 26, heads into his first full season as the 49ers starter with an undefeated record and the second-hand glint of the Tom Brady influence.
After coming from the New England Patriots in a trade last season, Garoppolo went 5-0 as a starter and threw for 1,542 yards, the most ever by a quarterback in his first five starts for the 49ers.