Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts named among TIME’s most influential people of 2025

Hurts, who played collegiately at Alabama and Oklahoma, was included among TIME Magazine’s “Icons” and nominated by New York Yankees great Derek Jeter, who penned a short blurb explaining his appreciation for Hurts. Hurts was joined on TIME’s “Icons” list by actress Demi Moore and four-time Paris Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Leon Marchand, among others.

Jeter cited Hurts’ resiliency and unflinching determination to constantly improving himself after bouncing back from his famous benching at halftime of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game en route to leading the Eagles to a victory in Super Bowl LIX, redeeming a loss to the Chiefs in his prior Super Bowl appearance in 2023.

“I admire how great athletes deal with both success and failure. What Jalen Hurts went through in being benched during the 2018 National Championship game would break a lot of people down,” Jeter wrote for TIME. “But not Jalen; he focused on what he could control and found a new path to success. In the NFL, Jalen didn’t let a Super Bowl defeat in 2023 shake his confidence. He used that loss as motivation and kept a picture of himself walking off the field after losing as his phone lock screen.

“This past February, Jalen found himself on the Super Bowl stage again. This time he led Philadelphia to a convincing victory in its rematch with Kansas City,” Jeter continued. “We connected shortly after, and the only thing he asked about was insight on going back and winning again. Sometimes people win, then exhale. Jalen is not exhaling. He’s embracing the next challenge. Win or lose, Jalen’s resilience and determination offer all of us something to admire.”

Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith share touching moment during Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win

With the Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl, there was a lot of Alabama influence on the roster. None more prevalent than one of the best connections out there between Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith. The two spent time together in Tuscaloosa and have been even better wearing Eagles uniforms.

Sunday’s game was wrapped up well before the game clock struck zero. Philadelphia players had an opportunity to soak in the moment from the sidelines for some time. Smith went up to Hurts at one point with tears in his eyes, embracing his quarterback.

The two discussed their journey along the way before Hurts told Smith to fully embrace the magnitude of what they had accomplished. Even more so since Smith is from the New Orleans area, having the opportunity to win the Super Bowl in his hometown.

Hurts went on to be named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-22 passing. He also ran for 72 yards and a score on 11 attempts. Smith produced a strong effort as well, catching four passes on five targets for 69 yards and a touchdown.

The best throw of the evening may have been one that looks quite familiar to Alabama fans too.

Smith was lined up on the left side of the formation, running a go route and connecting with Hurts for a 46-yard touchdown. Back in January 2018, Hurts watched a similar play from the sideline after his halftime benching as Smith caught the game-winning touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa to send Alabama to the 2018 national championship.