Why are the Philadelphia Eagles comparing Jalen Hurts to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan?
One has to respect the grit of the Philadelphia Eagles and their QB having pushed through illness to defeat a team that had yet to lose a game this season.
Coming into Monday night’s game against the undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles always new the game was going to present a number of challenges, not the least of which was the fact that several members of the roster including quarterback Jalen Hurts, were battling against flu-like symptoms.
Jalen Hurts pushed through the flu to secure the win against the Bucs
Though you might find it hard to believe if you saw the way in which they played in their 25-11 win against the Bucs on Monday night, the Eagles roster had actually been hit by the flu earlier this week. Of course one of those who was affected was star quarterback Jalen Hurts, however, that didn’t really show as Hurts registered his 29th career rushing touchdown - the most in NFL history by a quarterback within their first 50 games.
“Just us executing,” Hurts said after Monday’s game when talking about playing while sick. “It’s not the first time I’ve dealt with this or had to play with something like this. And it always happens on Monday night for whatever reason.” In the end, the 25-year-old finished with 277 passing yards, one passing touchdown - a 34-yarder to Olamide Zaccheaus - and that aforementioned rushing touchdown after 28 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Jason Kelce can empathize with Jalen Hurts
Incidentally, Hurts was not the only member of the roster to have been struck down by the flu. There was also star offensive lineman, Jason Kelce, who spoke openly about the struggles that he, his signal caller, and others faced. “It feels like everyone in the world is right now,” Kelce said postgame about getting sick. “It’s kind of ramping up again. We had a lot of guys on the team this week...it’s kind of maybe that time of year right now in Philly.”
Did Jalen Hurts give us a new “flu game?”
You may know that Hurts recently signed a deal with Nike’s Air Jordan brand. Why is that of significance? During the 1997 NBA Finals, the great Michael Jordan - the man from which the brand takes its namesake - was visibly beleaguered by the flu, however, as was his way, Jordan went on to score 38 points for his Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz in what has since become known as “the flu game.” Naturally, Hurts’ teammates wasted no time in making humorous comparisons to the legendary No. 23.
“He signed with Jordan, of course the flu game is going to come up, but I don’t know,” Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham said when speaking of Hurts’ efforts. “He always has that calm, cool. I don’t ever see him rattled. I couldn’t tell he was sick.”
Sick or not, the Eagles performed
While attention will be paid to the fact that two of the team’s stars were unwell, it’s got to be said that the Eagles as a team were worth their win on Monday night. In total, the offense put 472 yards on the board with running back D’Andre Swift contributing 130 of them on 16 carries, which is 8.1 yards per carry if you’re wondering. There was also Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown who posted 131 receiving yards on nine catches. To that end, the Eagles are now one of just three teams in the league that remain undefeated, with the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers being the other two. Up next for Hurts and Co. is a date with the Washington Commanders (2-1) on Sunday, October 1st.