Jalen Hurts Praises Georgia
Hurts Credits Georgia for Its Cultural Impact
Jalen Hurts is headed to the Super Bowl, but before he takes the field for the Philadelphia Eagles on the sport’s biggest stage, he’s taking time to acknowledge a key source of inspiration for his journeynone other than the Georgia Bulldogs. In a recent interview, Hurts spoke about the cultural turnaround in football, pointing to Georgia as a prime example of how building the right mindset within a program can lead to dominance on the field. Given the Bulldogs’ back-to-back national championships under head coach Kirby Smart, Hurts’ admiration is well-founded. “It’s Georgia, man,” Hurts said. “Look at what they’ve built. It’s culture. It’s a mentality. They know who they are, and that’s been the difference.”
Why Georgia’s Culture Stands Out
When a quarterback with Hurts’ pedigreesomeone who has played under phenomenal coaches at Alabama and Oklahomaspeaks on football culture, people listen. The Bulldogs, under Smart, have transformed into a powerhouse that doesn’t just win games; they impose their identity on opponents. What makes Georgia’s culture so special? Here are a few key reasons:
These aren’t just qualities of a successful program; they’re trademarks of a dynasty in the making.
Hurts’ Personal Connection to Georgia’s Rise
Hurts’ appreciation for Georgia isn’t just casual admirationit’s personal. The former Alabama quarterback experienced firsthand what it was like to battle against Georgia during his college career. Who can forget when a freshman Tua Tagovailoa replaced him at halftime of the 2018 National Championship Game against Georgia? Hurts later got his own moment of redemption, leading Alabama to victory over the Bulldogs in the 2018 SEC Championship. While those battles are now part of college football folklore, Hurts clearly respects how Kirby Smart has taken Georgia to another level since then. As someone who understands what it takes to build a successful team culture, his words hold weight.
What This Means for Football Moving Forward
When one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks acknowledges Georgia’s success, it underscores just how much of an impact the program has had. For years, teams like Alabama were the standard in college football. Now, Georgia has joined that conversationand some would argue they are leading it. For aspiring football teams at any level, whether college or professional, the message is clear: success isn’t just about talent. It’s about culture, identity, and mentality. And right now, Georgia has all three in abundance. Hurts recognizes it, and as he prepares to take the Super Bowl stage, it’s evident that lessons from Georgia’s success have made an impression on him. While his focus remains on leading the Eagles to a championship, his admiration for what’s happening in Athens speaks volumes about where the power in football is shifting. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have built something special. And when someone like Jalen Hurtswho thrives in elite football cultures himselftakes notice, you know it’s real.
