As the Philadelphia Eagles get set for their first Super Bowl appearance since 2017, many folks in the NFL world will try to retrace their steps over the next couple of weeks. How did Philadelphia, once again, become a pro football juggernaut?
Aside from having one of the best rosters in the sport, it seems pretty obvious: Jalen Hurts is a superstar quarterback who also happens to be a terrific leader. (Those concepts can sometimes be mutually exclusive for some signal-callers.)
We saw a terrific example of how Hurts galvanized his Eagles teammates before Sunday’s 31-7 NFC title game win over the San Francisco 49ers. During his pregame speech — which was captured in all of its glory by NFL Films — Hurts let his emotions and love for football hang out.
His passionate eloquence on a colossal stage is liable to give anyone listening some good old-fashioned goosebumps:
"How do you wanna be remembered?!"
Yesterday's pregame speech from @JalenHurts 🔥 @Eagles pic.twitter.com/R6FFAKjSsy
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 30, 2023
Whoever in the film crew decided to pan to some of the Eagles players’ faces as Hurts delivered his excellent speech deserves a huge raise. That’s precisely how you should capture a team unquestionably following their quarterback into the fire.
Bettors expect big things from Hurts in Super Bowl 57 next month, and understandably so. Not only does he have a solid over/under of 1.5 passing touchdowns, some of his initial lines for passing and rushing yards combined paint the picture of a man who’s about to drop 300 scrimmage yards on the Kansas City Chiefs.
It’s unclear if anyone saw Hurts deliver his NFC title game speech before setting expectations for his first February Big Game performance. But if they did, they probably would’ve envisioned even brighter output from the Philadelphia dynamo.
NFL fans got goosebumps listening to Hurts deliver his passionate NFC title game speech
That's my QB https://t.co/AGsxzlZtJU
— Coach Zimm (@CoachZimmTFXC) January 30, 2023
That's my Quarterback! #1#FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/IpJJvCZT9l
— KTrain (@kevin_trone) January 30, 2023
Lead us, 1. 😤 https://t.co/LnDYS5vETc
— De Anda ⎊ (@alecks36) January 30, 2023
— dm (@ctliving203) January 30, 2023
Show me the brick wall I’ll run through it https://t.co/ARrdE2kgtl
— Nicky M 🏃 (@NickMelinchok) January 30, 2023
— Joey Garrett (@JG_2Four) January 30, 2023
GIMME THE REST ASAP https://t.co/mnv4J2m44L
— HoopSavvy (@HoopSavvy_) January 30, 2023
