Jalen Hurts Bio
Jalen Alexander Hurts is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 7, 1998, in Houston, Texas, he began his college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading them to two consecutive College Football Playoff appearances in 2016 and 2017. Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his final year and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since becoming their starter, Hurts has led the Eagles to significant playoff successes, including winning Super Bowl LIX and earning the Super Bowl MVP award.
Early Life and Background
Jalen Hurts attended Channelview High School in Channelview, Texas. His father, Averion Hurts, was the football coach at Channelview High School throughout his son’s high school career. As a senior, he passed for 2,384 yards with 26 touchdown passes and rushed for 1,391 yards and 25 touchdowns. Hurts was a second-team all-district selection as a sophomore and was named the District 21-6A Overall MVP as a junior during his high school playing years. Throughout his high school career, Hurts was rated as a four-star recruit and was ranked among the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the class of 2016. Although Texas A&M made a strong push to recruit Hurts, he committed to the University of Alabama on June 5, 2015. In addition to football, Hurts participated in powerlifting and became a regional finalist in the 198-pound weight class.
Path to American Football
As a true freshman for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team in 2016, Hurts competed to open the season as the starting quarterback. Blake Barnett started the first game against the USC Trojans, but by the second game, Hurts had taken over the starting role, becoming the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama in 32 years. Hurts produced a historic freshman season under head coach Nick Saban, throwing for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He rushed for a total of 954 yards and 13 touchdowns, breaking the school single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback. Hurts became the first quarterback coached by Nick Saban to rush for more than 11 touchdowns in a single season. He finished the 2016 season with 36 overall touchdowns, breaking the previous record for touchdowns in a single season for the Crimson Tide. In 2019, Hurts announced he would use his final year of eligibility to transfer to the University of Oklahoma. In his first game as a Sooner, he shattered Oklahoma’s single-game yardage record, putting up 508 yards of total offense against Houston. He finished the season with 3,851 passing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns, earning him a second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Jalen Hurts Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Hurts 53rd overall in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After originally being named the third-string quarterback, he gained the backup position by Week 2. On December 6, 2020, Hurts relieved Carson Wentz against the Green Bay Packers, throwing his first career touchdown pass. He was named the starter for the Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints, leading the Eagles to a victory. In the 2021 season, Hurts was named the starter and led the Eagles to a playoff berth, finishing with 3,144 passing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In the 2022 season, Hurts completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts for 340 yards and three touchdowns over the Washington Commanders, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September. He led the Eagles to a playoff berth and was named to his first Pro Bowl. Hurts finished the season with a starting record of 14–1 and was named a second-team All-Pro. In the playoffs, he led the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII, where he threw for 304 yards and three rushing touchdowns, setting a Super Bowl record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jalen Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance in Super Bowl LIX, becoming the third Black quarterback to earn the honor. He has successfully led the Eagles to the playoffs in all of his first four seasons as the primary starter.
Jalen Hurts Award Nominations
Jalen Hurts has received multiple nominations throughout his career, including Pro Bowl selections and recognition for his outstanding performances in the playoffs.
Jalen Hurts Awards Won
Jalen Hurts has won several prestigious awards, including the Super Bowl MVP award in 2024 and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Jalen Hurts Family
Jalen Hurts is married to Bryonna “Bry” Rivera Burrows, his college sweetheart. His parents are Pamela and Averion Hurts, and he has two siblings: a younger sister, Kynnedy, and an older brother, Averion.
Personal Life
Jalen Hurts is a Baptist and has expressed the importance of faith in his life. He is an advocate for women in sports and employs an all-female management team. Hurts is also known for his philanthropic efforts and has participated in various initiatives supporting women in sports.
