Alabama benching still shapes how Jalen Hurts views his career

Jalen Hurts has won a Super Bowl, earned the game's MVP award and secured one of the NFL's richest quarterback contracts. The experience that continues to frame his journey happened before any of those achievements. Hurts was benched at halftime of Alabama's national championship victory over Georgia following the 2017 season. Tua Tagovailoa led the comeback, leaving Hurts to process losing his job on college football's largest stage.

During his conversation with GQ, Hurts returned to that moment as he considered the likelihood of everything he accomplished afterward.

He remained at Alabama for another season and supported Tagovailoa. When an injury forced Hurts back onto the field in the SEC championship game, he led the Crimson Tide to a comeback victory. Hurts later transferred to Oklahoma, became a Heisman Trophy finalist and played his way into the second round of the NFL draft. The Eagles did not initially select him to replace Carson Wentz. Hurts created that opportunity through preparation, patience and his ability to respond when the depth chart changed.

His career has since included two Super Bowl appearances and a championship, but the Alabama setback remains central to how he sees himself.

Hurts compared his approach to solving a difficult shot in pool:

That belief explains why disappointment rarely produces a visible emotional reaction from him. Hurts immediately begins searching for the next available solution. His career has not been defined by being benched. It's been defined by everything he's done since.