NFL Player Jalen Hurts
The other Christian pro athlete featured in TIME’s 2023 list is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The 25-year-old, a second-round pick out of Oklahoma, boldly proclaims that “God is everything” and is “worthy of praise.”
As ChurchLeaders has shared, Hurts credits his family with teaching him about God and shaping his faith. “I lean on [God] all the time, and I know that everything unfolds the way it’s supposed to,” the quarterback said last fall.
In February 2023, Hurts and his Eagles faced another outspoken Christian quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, in Super Bowl LVII. Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. Afterward Hurts said he cherished the experience and would let it motivate him in the future.
So far this season, the Eagles are 5-1. After their first loss on Oct. 8, Hurts posted on social media, “Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing,” with the hashtag #Breedof1. Breed of 1 is based on the quarterback’s “personal mantra of striving to be the best version of himself and not letting others define his identity.”
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, in a tribute to Hurts, wrote about his leadership abilities, passion, and hard work. “He’s always thinking about getting better,” Manning wrote of Hurts.
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