Jalen Hurts chooses his words as carefully as a plutonium salesman handles his product, so it was no laughing matter when he joked about bringing back “Philly, Philly.” That’s to say he knew exactly what he was doing.
Hurts, speaking freely at his weekly press conference, was throwing kudos on Nick Foles ahead of his Eagles’ retirement ceremony, when the line of questioning turned to the most famous trick play in Super Bowl history. It was an innocent inquisition.
“Great play. Great call. Great kid. Great execution,” Hurts said of Foles and the play.
Remember, Jalen Hurts ran a rendition of “Philly, Philly” in 2018 while quarterbacking the Oklahoma Sooners. They scored a touchdown on the play. Fast forward to Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season and, maybe, Hurts will provide the long-awaited encore.
When a reporter pelted him with back-to-back queries about Super Bowl LII and if he watched the game, Hurts charmingly took the bait: “Y’all trying to get at something? This week, y’all want to something?” Then, Hurts flashed a confident smirk as everyone in the room agreed it would be a great idea.
For the record, Hurts watched Super Bowl LII in his dorm room while in school at Alabama and recalled what he liked best about a certain Super Bowl MVP who orchestrated the Eagles’ first championship parade.
“Nick’s from Texas, right? I’ve never met him. But, obviously, a legend here,” Jalen Hurts said. “A lot of respect for him and his game, and I’m happy and proud of all the success he’s had. And I’m glad he’s able to share that moment.”
Foles will be honored at halftime during Monday night’s home opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jalen Hurts Building Chemistry with Cam Jurgens
The biggest question on everyone’s mind after Week 1 concerned the relationship between Jalen Hurts and Cam Jurgens. The new starting center botched two snaps in the season opener as Jason Kelce’s name dotted social media. Stop it. There are no communication problems. The two are growing together and building chemistry, according to Hurts.
“I think it was really good,” Jalen Hurts said of his connection with Jurgens. “I think when you’re sambaing with a new partner, you got to find a rhythm, you got to find your flow, and I think with this team, all phases, we’re sambaing with new partners. Defensively, different play-caller. Offensive, new play-caller.
“New coaches in different positions. And quarterback and center, obviously, that has changed, even right guard and whatnot. So, I think, I know just finding that flow, continue to communicate over time.”
Sambaing, as in the complicated ballroom dance. Yes, he coined another classic. Meanwhile, Hurts dug a little deeper into his connection with Jurgens.
“Cam’s a guy that really works really hard,” Hurts said. “He puts his heart into it and he grinds. He takes the coaching from Stout. We have great conversations. He’s really a force upfront, and I got all the trust in him moving forward. It just takes that communication and the work that we’re going to put in and we have to put in.”
Finally, Congratulations on the Engagement
According to Essence, Jalen Hurts is off the market after getting engaged to longtime girlfriend Bry Burrows. The couple first went public with their relationship in 2023 after dating off and on for many years. No wedding date was reported but plenty of pictures were captured of their magical moment.
It’s probably safe to assume that Frankie Beverly provided some of the soundtrack during the proposal. Hurts is a superfan who first met the Philly-born singer when he was in college at Alabama. The two exchanged signatures that day, with Hurts giving Beverly a Crimson Tide football helmet as they shared an intimate moment together in 2018.
Beverly, best known for his hit “Before I Let Go”, died on September 11. He was 77. No cause of death was immediately given. Hurts was quick to lay down a quick eulogy when asked for his thoughts.
“I got chills thinking about that,” Hurts said of Beverly. “He’s a person that his legacy will live forever. He’s touched so many different people across the world through his words, through his songs, and through his music.”
REUTERS/Carla Carniel
