Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, Jalen Hurts, brought delight to fans in Tuscaloosa and throughout the Yellowhammer State when he helped his Philadelphia Eagles win their second Super Bowl in franchise history over the weekend.

Both Hurts and former Heisman-winning Crimson Tide wide receiver, DeVonta Smith, were critical in the victory, with the two connecting on a third-quarter long bomb touchdown to put the game away and secure the win.

After the win, Hurts talked at the podium about his journey from losing his first national title to Clemson in 2016, being benched in the championship game the following year, and eventually transferring to Oklahoma.

"I'm that same kid that went to the national championship and lost and went back and got benched and had to transfer…That kid always kept the main thing the main thing and always was true to his vision of what he saw." – Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts #SuperBowl #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/4vPQVfvxce

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 10, 2025

“Things come right on time, and last time it wasn’t our time and sometimes you have to accept that you have to wait your turn,” Hurts said. “Processing that experience lit a great flame in me and enhanced my desire to win…I’m that same kid that went to the national championship and lost and went back and got benched and had to transfer…That kid always kept the main thing the main thing and always was true to his vision of what he saw.”

Hurts stayed in Tuscaloosa for another year after the benching, famously coming into the SEC Championship for an injured Tua Tagovailoa, leading a comeback victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in what was one of the most special moments of the entire Nick Saban era.

His determination and drive on the way to becoming Super Bowl MVP is something that everyone can look up to and admire, and something that will allow him to continue to grow his fanbase for the rest of his career.