GLENDAL, Arizona. Jalen Hurts was a star quarterback in Alabama and then left.
While visiting Alabama, Herts was benched at halftime in the 2018 College Football Playoff Championship game against Georgia in favor of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after an underwhelming first-half performance. Tagovailoa eventually led the Crimson Tide to a 26–23 overtime victory over the Bulldogs.
Hurts was Tagovailoa’s understudy the following season despite having a 26-2 record as a starter in Alabama. Hurts was a major backup throughout his junior year but got some redemption when he replaced an injured Tagovailoa and helped Crimson Tide win the 2018 SEC Championship against Georgia.
Entering the 2019 season, Herts decided to transfer to Oklahoma for his last year of eligibility. He finished his career in Alabama with 5,626 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, 1,976 yards, and 23 touchdowns.
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In Oklahoma, Hurts led the Sooners to a Big 12 championship and a spot in the college football playoffs. He totaled 3,851 passing yards and 32 touchdowns with 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns as Suner. He came in second in Heisman’s vote.
Hurts was asked about his college bench after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game.
“We have new moments. New moments and new times. I think my character, I was raised the way I am. Times change, but the character remains,” Herts said. “I always try to never go too high, never go too low, and always try my best.”
The 24-year-old quarterback is now the Eagles’ starting quarterback in Super Bowl 57. In addition, Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the first two black quarterbacks to start against each other in the Super Bowl.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why was Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sent to the college bench?
Source: sports.yahoo.com
