Besides Bryce Harper and (maybe) Rocky, it’s hard to imagine many more popular figures in Philadelphia than Eagles QB Jalen Hurts.
The third-year quarterback has Philly fans dreaming of Super Bowl glory after an unbeaten start. And with 10 passing touchdowns and six rushing scores to just two interceptions, Hurts has quietly emerged as a dark-horse MVP candidate. What a difference a year makes.
Hurts has built some much-valued goodwill among Philadelphians. But he’s a Texan at heart, one who isn’t afraid to make his loyalties to his hometown crystal clear.
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So, just where is Jalen Hurts from? And how does that impact his sports fandom? The Sporting News has you covered.
Jalen Hurts hometown
Hurts hails from Houston, home of the Geto Boys, chopped and screwed remixes, and world-famous barbecue. When his Eagles take on the Texans during Week 8, it will represent more than just a chance for Hurts to extend his winning start to eight straight games. It’ll be a homecoming, too.
“Going back to Houston, it should be fun,” Hurts said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play at NRG-Reliant Stadium and I’ve spent a lot of time in that city — my childhood, growing up in Houston, going to watch the Texans play, being in the Texans’ facility as a kid.”
Hurts got his start at Channelview High School, just a 28-minute drive from the Texans’ home stadium. And although his high school side never got a chance to take the field at NRG Stadium, Hurts said he has something to prove in his return to the city that helped raise him.
“Going to watch high school playoff games in that stadium and not ever having the opportunity to play in it,” Hurts said, “I will have an opportunity this week and I’m looking forward to playing. It should be fun.”
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Why is Jalen Hurts an Astros fan?
Like most Houstonians, Hurts roots for his hometown teams. That includes the Astros, who Hurts has repped since he was a child. Hurts famously caught some flak when he sported an Astros hat after replacing Carson Wentz as Philadelphia’s starting signal-caller in 2020.
However, he seems to have learned his lesson this time around. When queried on how he’s feeling about his adopted hometown taking on his actual hometown in the World Series, Hurts was far more diplomatic:
#Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ full quote on the Astros/Phillies dynamic:
“I’m Houston born and raised. I love my city. It’s my hometown. But my home now is Philly. And I love this city, too. That’s how I deal with it.” https://t.co/XxmfSvI0vs
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 26, 2022
Spoken like a true politician….
Jalen Hurts Astros hat
Hurts has never shied from his Houston allegiances in the past. That loyalty got him into a bit of trouble back in 2020. Hurts, then a second-year QB still hoping to make his own in the league, usurped the starting spot from Carson Wentz at the tail end of 2020.
In his first presser as QB1, Hurts made waves for his attire selection. He casually rocked an embroidered Astros hat, something that the internet has refused to forget in the two years since.
Jalen Hurts.
Eagles QB 🦅
Astros fan ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ZxQmVm4pHT
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 26, 2022
Home is where your heart is. And it seems Hurts’ heart still lies in Space City.
