Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe may not win the prestigious Heisman Trophy, but there is someone else who is cheering for him to achieve something even greater. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, a former Texas prep star turned Crimson Tide QB himself, is wholeheartedly supporting Milroe.
In a press conference this week, Hurts expressed his admiration for Milroe's performance throughout the year. "He's had a great year," Hurts remarked. "He's always been a very special player. He's a Texas kid, and he's just continued to grow and grow. It's been really nice to watch. So I've been supporting him from a distance, and I'm just happy to see him get in the final four and have the opportunity to lead his team and, hopefully, secure a national title. All my support goes to him."
Hurts' influence on Milroe is evident, as the young quarterback referenced Hurts' mantra, "Keep the main thing the main thing," in an on-field interview after Alabama's thrilling 27-24 victory over previously undefeated Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on December 2.
"Before anybody had an opinion of me, I had my purpose already, so the biggest thing was just stay true to myself, and I had the right support system around me to uplift me," Milroe shared.
"Keep the main thing the main thing" is a phrase frequently used by Hurts in press conferences. In fact, when questioned in February about his success despite doubts from evaluators regarding his NFL potential, Hurts responded, "I had a purpose before everybody had an opinion."
Alabama's triumph over Georgia secured their spot in the College Football Playoff. On January 1 at 4 p.m. CST, the Crimson Tide will face off against Michigan in the Rose Bowl, with the winner advancing to the national championship game.
It is worth noting that Hurts has experienced the College Football Playoff in every season of his college career, including three appearances with Alabama and one with Oklahoma. He was part of the championship-winning team in 2017 with the Tide.
As Jalen Milroe continues his journey, he can rely on the support and inspiration of Jalen Hurts, who has paved the way for success both on and off the field. Milroe's determination and the lessons he has learned from Hurts will undoubtedly play a significant role in his pursuit of greatness.
