When he is not training to be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts has proven to be a consistent role model in different communities.
He chose to attend the University of Alabama in its 2016 signing class. During his three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he displayed incredible leadership, a competitive spirit, and made everyone around him better. He helped the Tide capture a Southeastern Conference title in 2016 and came off the bench to deliver the program to a 35-28 comeback victory in the 2018 SEC Championship matchup against Georgia.
Despite losing the starting quarterback job to Tua Tagovailoa in 2018, Hurts was the reason behind the Tide reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in the 2017 season. He was also the SEC’s Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2016: a year where he set records and took the game by storm.
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On Tuesday, Hurts decided to surprise Southview Elementary School in Tuscaloosa in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
He was the school’s guest reader for Read Across America Day, and he brought smiles to students and teachers. Before playing his final collegiate football season at Oklahoma, Hurts marched with his bachelor’s degree from UA.
Cassondra Pitts, a first-grade teacher at Southview Elementary, was among the smiling teachers as she was thrilled to see Hurts bless the community.
Thank you @JalenHurts for being our guest reader today! The students truly enjoyed it. #ReadAcrossAmerica #HappyBirthdayDrSeuss @ronikaam1 pic.twitter.com/3a0ufzD2Rs
— Southview Elementary (@Southview_TCS) March 2, 2021
Thank you @JalenHurts for reading to my student today! A great day to kick off day 2! #ReadAcrossAmericaDay pic.twitter.com/pyZ4BKCUXP
— Pitts_Fantastic_First_Grade (@Pitts_1stGrade) March 2, 2021
According to Pitts, she said one of the teachers set a meeting up with Hurts and the school pulled him in virtually.
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“It was amazing,” Pitts said. “We are doing everything through Google Meet because of COVID-19. When we pulled him in, our kids knew who he was and they were so happy. I really enjoyed it. He read one of their favorite Dr. Seuss books.”
Pitts, like Hurts, attended the University of Alabama. She said her students were impressed that she and Hurts were in school together.
“We have several Roll Tide fans here,” Pitts said. “So, anytime we can get a football player with a big name that is doing well, we love it. He is doing great things in the community.”
During the offseason, Hurts has been lending a helping hand.
Whether it is purchasing a home for a family, bringing a smile to a cancer patient, or reading to the youth, Hurts finds time to encourage people.
This is the leadership that is needed in the Eagles’ community. His ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, but seeing the next generation be successful will do for now with him.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
