What did Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa & Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts have to say about their friendship?
Intertwined since their days of signal calling for Alabama, the two star QBs are at a critical stage in their respective NFL careers, but they have each other’s backs.
With their teams currently involved in a joint practice session, Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa have had the time to catch up. After all, the star QBs have been friends since their days at Alabama.
A Friendship Born in Competition: Jalen Hurts & Tua Tagovailoa
Though it might sound like something out of a motivational sports drama, Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa actually enjoy a good friendship. The star QBs affinity for each other is made all the more curious by the fact that they once competed for the same spot back in their Alamba days. Indeed, it was Tagovailoa that stepped in for Hurts at halftime in the 2017 BCS Championship Game. The ‘Crimson Tide’ were losing to Georgia 13-0, but it was Tagovailoa who went on to turn the game around, ending with a dramatic 26-23 Alabama win. Cue the motivational sports drama script. Just one year later, it would be Tagovailoa who was halted by injury and Hurts who would step up and against the very same opponent. Playing in the SEC Championship Game, Hurts would go on to spearhead a 35-28 Alabama win and with that he would say goodbye, as he transferred to Oklahoma after the win.
Today, the pair play for rival teams in the NFL and understandably don’t spend so much time with each other. Indeed, Tagovailoa recently admitted they don’t hang out often, but their friendship remains. “I want to see him win and I know he wants to see me win,” Hurts said after the Eagles practiced at the Dolphins’ facility in Miami Gardens on Thursday. “I would say we don’t spend time together in the offseason, but we text each other,” Tagovailoa said.
A Tale of Two QBs: Tua Tagovailoa & Jalen Hurts
It was just two years ago in the 2020 NFL Draft when the Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa with the fifth pick. The rookie was followed by his friend Hurts who was selected by the Eagles at No. 53 overall in the first round. Again, with the movie script. Where their numbers are concerned, Tua is 13-8 in 21 starts with 27 passing touchdowns, six rushing TDs, 15 interceptions, 66% accuracy and an 88.8 passer rating. Hurts by comparison, has a record of 9-10 in 19 starts with 22 TDs, 13 rushing TDs, 13 INTs, 59% accuracy and an 84.7 passer rating.
“Yeah, I knew when I went to Alabama, I’d have to compete and compete against a guy that was really good,” Tagovailoa said. “The year before that he was the SEC Player of the Year, and he led his team to the national championship. So, I knew what I was up against. But at the same time, when you go to a place like that, the standards are high, expectations are extremely high as well, because of the success that they’ve had. ...And really just you’ve got to go out there and compete every day. And I would say that’s how being at a place like Alabama has helped set up success for me coming into the NFL. Nothing’s given to you. You got to earn everything.”
Catching Up: The Dolphins and Eagles are training together
With summer camp in full swing, the Dolphins and Eagles have been engaged in a joint training session. That of course, has given Hurts to catch up with some of his old Alabama teammates. Aside from Tagovailoa, there’s also defensive tackle Raekwon Davis and receiver Jaylen Waddle. “It was good catching up with those guys, good to see them in action, knowing how far they’ve come, knowing what all they went through coming from the same place, going through the same things, going through that same process,” he said. “It’s always pleasant to see them doing big things.”
Interestingly, Tagovailoa was asked how he remembers Hurts during their college days. “The dude’s a hard worker in the weight room, in the classroom and then on the field,” he said. “The dude had to be the first into the weight room, he had to be the first out onto the field. Like sprints, he had to be first. So it really tells you how he goes about his life. It tells you about how he kind of sees things and how he looks at things.”
Where do Hurts and Tagovailoa go from here?
As we can all agree, some friendships don’t require constant contact to be maintained. In the case of Tagovailoa and Hurts both players alluded to a relationship in which they maintain contact and try to help where and when they can. Hurts referred to a moment when he gave Tagovailoa advice before a game against the New England Patriots. “They had a joint practice with the Falcons last year so prior to the (Eagles-Falcons) game I reached out to him, gave me some good insight on things, told me how he was kind of seeing their defense and personnel things,” Hurts said. “And then I actually gave him some insight on the Patriots, I think they played the Patriots early in the season last year. It’s always good to be connected to guys around the league and coaches around the league. It’s all to help a friend.”
For his part, Tagovailoa spoke of the solidity of his friendship with hurts and the idea that it’s not always football focused. “I know our relationship with me and Jalen is not going to go anywhere,” he said. “My relationship with me and Mac (Jones) is not going to go anywhere. Regardless of how many times we talk throughout the year, throughout the week, or if we don’t. “And it doesn’t always have to be football. It can also be how are you doing? How’s the family life? How’s everything like that? I would say all of our relationships have been good.”