Football

QB Jalen Hurts thanks God as he joins Philadelphia Eagles, starting QB Carson Wentz

By Kevin Mercer Apr 27, 2020
New Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Quarterback Jalen Hurts’s reaction was one of joyful relief when the Philadelphia Eagles selected the former Alabama and Oklahoma standout in the second round (53rd overall) Friday in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Soon after the pick was announced, Hurts took to Twitter to express his gratitude and remind his followers of God’s faithfulness. “God is Always In Control,” he wrote. “Just Never Lose Faith! John 13:7! #FlyEaglesFly”

John 13:7 quotes Jesus saying, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Hurts — whose Twitter banner photo says, “Be who God called you to be” — will join a quarterback room in Philadelphia with already-established starter and devout follower of Christ, Carson Wentz. And while many were shocked that the Eagles would spend a second-round pick on a quarterback with the 27-year-old Wentz having just signed a four-year contract extension last year, the 2017 NFC Pro Bowler welcomed Hurts to Philadelphia.

Now in Philadelphia, Hurts recognizes his opportunity to grow as a football player and as a follower of God under the leadership of Wentz.

“He’s a very established, championship-winning quarterback,” Hurts told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I can’t wait to be under him and learn.”

In college, Hurts won a national championship with Alabama in 2018, when freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa directed an Alabama comeback over Georgia. Tagovailoa — the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft — won the starting quarterback job the following season, and Hurts later transferred to Oklahoma.

Hurts led the Sooners to a 12-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff last fall. He was a 2019 Heisman Trophy finalist as he set career highs with 3,851 yards passing, 32 passing touchdowns, 1,298 yards rushing and 20 rushing touchdowns.

“I know everything will unfold according to God’s timing,” Hurts wrote in a Player’s Tribune article after leaving Alabama. “I am blessed to be where my feet are; my trust is in His hands.”

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