His journey to stardom was different, but all that matters is he has arrived.
Jalen Hurts’ road to Super Bowl 57 did not come through the University of Alabama, University of Oklahoma, or any marquee quarterback camps before college. His road was paved by a dedicated father who wanted his son to understand leadership, patience, strength, hard work, grace, and the mentality to have it in order. Averion Hurts coached his son at Channelview (Texas) High School. He guided Jalen through football and powerlifting to become a four-star prospect in the 2016 recruiting cycle.
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Hurts watched his son choose Alabama and become the first freshman quarterback to start in the Nick Saban era.
He saw fans love his son as a freshman, but he also witnessed some screaming for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia. Hurts beheld his pride and joy on the bench, but he noticed the grace and excitement of his son watching someone else rescue the Crimson Tide to a national championship. He saw his son’s moment of poetic justice in the 2018 Southeastern Conference Championship Game as Jalen replaced an injured Tagovailoa and propelled Alabama to a 35-28 comeback win over Georgia. Hurts looked on as his son earned his bachelor’s degree, left Alabama gracefully, set records at Oklahoma, and got selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He heard the NFL Draft pundits criticize his son in stating how Jalen’s game would not translate to the next level. Hurts stayed on him, but Jalen carried a confidence and work ethic that shocked everyone in 2022. He became a star in the NFL, guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl.
He’s a finalist for NFL’s Most Valuable Player and Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. His father can only pinch himself as he will watch Jalen attempt to become the first black quarterback in Alabama football history to lead an NFL team to a Super Bowl Championship. Averion expressed his excitement for Jalen in an interview with Mark Berman of Fox 26 News.
Channelview Coach Averion Hurts on his son, @Eagles QB @JalenHurts, helping lead Philly to the Super Bowl: “It’s sinking in. U got 1 game left,biggest game in the world. It’s a blessing to have a kid you coached & that kid be your son,to play in it.” More tonight FOX 26 News at 9 pic.twitter.com/Qv8Vjk9aUF
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 2, 2023
“It’s sinking in,” Hurts said about his emotions in knowing Jalen will start in Super Bowl 57.
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“A lot of it is knowing you have one football game left, the biggest game in the world, and it’s a blessing to have a kid you coached, and that kid to be your son to play in it. The work that he and his teammates put in to get there. There are 32 teams and only two are left playing, so that is a true blessing. It is humbling as a parent. I am happy to see him, and I wish him the best.”
Hurts will lead the Eagles against Kansas City on Sunday, Feb. 12 in the Super Bowl.
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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.
