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Jalen Hurts had a strong response for his haters after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59.
“I can’t control what these people think but if it takes all the hating, all the scrutiny, all the different opinions for me to be a world champion, keep it coming,” Hurts said after the game.
In addition to Hurts’ three total touchdowns and 221 yards on Sunday, he earned Super Bowl MVP honors, further silencing his critics.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Hurts made it clear that he uses doubt as extra motivation.
“It’s no secret,” Hurts said to reporters.
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Reporter: “Do you secretly like that extra motivation when people are doubting you?”
Jalen Hurts: “It’s no secret.” 👀
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Y7dJDUI8Yh
Doubt has been a constant for Hurts, who has faced criticism since his rookie season in 2020. Over time, he has mastered turning those doubts into fuel for his performances.
“I don’t play the game for stats. I don’t play the game for numbers, any statistical approval from anyone else,” Hurts said, per ESPN’s Tim McManus. “And I understand that everyone has a preconceived notion on how they want it to look, or how they expect it to look. I told you guys that success is defined by that particular individual, and it’s all relative to the person. And what I define it as is winning.”
Hurts isn’t the only one who thrives on being underestimated. His teammates know that’s exactly what fuels him, and they’ve embraced that mentality to help push him even further.
“How about QB1, man? I love when people doubt him,” left tackle Jordan Malta said, per McManus. “We always talk about limiting the outside noise or the white noise, whatever you want to call it. But I know he hears that and I think he plays his best when he feels like people doubt him.”
The doubt clearly worked, for the Super Bowl MVP.
