Never mind that Jalen Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC Championship Game. There are more pressing questions: Is he former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts? Or is it former Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts?
Apparently he can’t be both. Not when it comes to the latest college football frenzy that’s been fueled on social media.
It was reported, also here at AL.com, that Hurts — with the win — became the first Alabama quarterback to win an NFL playoff game since 1983.
How can that be when he finished his college career in Norman?
To muddy the waters even more, Hurts played in a split helmet at Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Let the debate end.
If you’re calling Hurts the first “former Alabama quarterback” to win an NFL game since 1983, you’re not technically wrong.
On one hand, Alabama fans cite his three years at the Capstone, a national championship, a degree and Hurts’ support of the Tide after his time at Tuscaloosa was up.
But critics point out that Hurts will be benched for Tua Tagovailoa and moving – and starting – to Oklahoma to finish his college career.
There are comparisons to Joe Burrow (former LSU and/or Ohio State quarterback) which is a bit of an apples-and-oranges comparison.
While that tweet seemed to start the debate, it was an AL.com story that planted the seed.
The tweet received numerous reactions and the debate spread like wildfire. Here’s just a taste that college football passion is second to none.
In any case, Hurts erased lingering doubts about the condition of his right shoulder by throwing two touchdown passes and running for a goal in a dominant first half, and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants 38-7 in an NFC divisional -Playoff game.
Hurts is back, as is the Eagles as a Super Bowl threat.
Top seeded Philadelphia will host Sunday’s NFC Championship game against San Francisco. Hurts finished 16 of 24 for 154 yards. He showed he was fine when he aired a pass on the second play and hit DeVonta Smith in the crotch for a 40-yard reception.
Hurts became Alabama’s starting quarterback as a freshman in 2016 and helped The Tide win the conference championship and earn the CFP national title game for SEC Offensive Player of the Year that season.
As a sophomore, he reached the national championship game again with Alabama. Tua Tagovailoa stepped into the title fight in place of Hurts at halftime and propelled Alabama to a 26-23 overtime win over Georgia.
Tagovailoa retained the seed spot in 2018, but Hurts still had a moment for Alabama. Tagovailoa left the SEC championship game in the fourth quarter with an injury, and hurts brought the tide to the game’s final two touchdowns and a 35-28 win over Georgia that kept Alabama undefeated.
For Oklahoma in 2019, Hurts finished second in the Heisman Trophy when he passed for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 TDs.
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.