Purifoy attended Steel Valley High School, where he practiced football and basketball.
Purifoy was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (193rd overall) of the 1982 NFL draft.
[3] On October 4, 1982, he was signed as a free agent by the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football League.
[5] He played 11 snaps against the Michigan Panthers before re-injuring his right hamstring and being lost for the season.
He was a detective with the District Attorney's Vicious Crime and Firearms Task Force.