Super Bowl 2023: Father of Eagles QB Jalen Hurts speaks about son’s determination and drive

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has proven he can handle high-pressure situations.

There’s no reason to think things will change just because he’s on the biggest stage of them all.

He gets some of that “cool customer” vibe from his father, Averion Hurts.

“We are very proud. We look forward to his entire journey. It’s been a hell of a drive and, you know, not over yet. But it was very humbling and a blessing,” Averion Hurts told Action News in an exclusive interview.

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Jalen has often said that being a coach’s son helped his development.

Did it give him an advantage?

“I think being a coaching kid just means you’re always around football, you know, you’re around a field house all the time or whatever that sport is,” Averion Hurts said. “When you’re a coach’s kid, you know it’s a little bit more when you grow up because people will think you’re going to get favoritism and things like that because your dad is the coach … that makes you want it.” to be at a younger age to mature faster.”

Black quarterbacks have come a long way in the NFL since Fritz Pollard played first in the league in 1923 and Doug Williams started first after the 1987 season and won a Super Bowl.

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Now Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will become the first black QBs to face off in a Super Bowl.

It’s fitting that a season that started with 11 Black QBs from Week 1 ends on a historic matchup.

“I think it’s huge,” Averion Hurts said. “We understand how it was and how it was for a long time and, you know, the narratives that used to be there about what African Americans could do at the quarterback position.”

Jalen’s father said if there was a word to describe his son, it would be.

“It’s just him by nature. He is a very ambitious, very determined person. Whatever he puts his mind to, he gets it and he makes it happen,” said Averion Hurts. “He is very steadfast in what he believes and he is not deterred by external factors.”

Jalen and the Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs on February 12th. Click here to see the latest Super Bowl 57 coverage.

ALSO SEE: Hurts, Mahomes set for historic duel: First Black QBs to face off in a Super Bow