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Jalen Hurts, the dynamic quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, opened up about a difficult period in his athletic journey when he questioned whether he should continue pursuing a career in football.
During an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America to promote his new children's book Better Than a Touchdown, Hurts shared a candid moment of vulnerability that revealed how close he once was to walking away from the sport altogether.
Hurts was asked if there was ever a time he felt like quitting the NFL, a question that brought him back to his college years.
"A time where I wanted to quit. There was a time, and I was actually just reflecting on this," he revealed. "There was a time in college where I really questioned, you know, what's going on... Where do I go from here?"
The Eagles star explained that adversity had been all around him during that period. "I had a lot of adversity in front of me. I was counted out, I was doubted and broken down and dissected in all these different ways," he said.
But Hurts emphasized that his love for the game and inner determination made all the difference.
"I just persevered... my passion overcame every ounce of doubt. Overcame every ounce of fear, and I think that's the number one thing in life," he added.
"You got to have the courage to press forward. And so, without the courage and perseverance and the resilience and the passion, I wouldn't be here today."
Hurts' story isn't just about athletic resilience, it's a journey that bridges football and life lessons.
The 26yearold's path to NFL stardom was anything but straightforward, beginning with his time at the University of Alabama, where he played behind other quarterbacks before deciding to transfer to Oklahoma.
There, his talent flourished, turning initial skepticism into admiration as he became one of the top quarterback prospects in college football.
Selected 53rd overall by the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts initially served as a backup to Carson Wentz before taking over as Philadelphia's fulltime starter.
Since then, he has become the face of the franchise, leading the team with poise, leadership, and an infectious competitive spirit.
His perseverance reached its pinnacle in the 2025 season when he guided the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory, Super Bowl LIX, against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP, a moment he described previously in another Good Morning America interview as a culmination of years of dedication and sweat:
"For 364 days of the year, you work dayin and dayout, blood, sweat and tears, just for one moment and that's to hold that trophy," Hurts said. "When I saw myself in that reflection, it was something I have never seen before so that's an amazing feeling."
Hurts' openness about his struggles adds a deeply human layer to his public image. In a league filled with elite talent, his story resonates not just with football fans but with anyone who has faced doubt, setbacks, or crossroads in life.
The quarterback, who is known for his leadership on the field, continues to inspire off it, now through literature aimed at young readers, encouraging them to face challenges with resilience, courage, and passion.
Whether on the gridiron or in everyday life, Hurts' message is clear: perseverance is not just about football, it's a mindset that can carry you through any adversity.
As he continues his career with the Eagles, his journey remains a powerful testament to the importance of belief, resilience, and resilience in the pursuit of one's dreams.