From Tuscaloosa to Philadelphia, the brotherly love runs deep between Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith.
The former college teammates have reached the mountaintop of the football world, able to stand together as Super Bowl and college football national champions. As the clock ticked down in Super Bowl 59 and reality began to set in, Hurts and Smith shared a heartwarming moment on the sidelines.
‘I love you, boy,’ Smith said to Hurts. ‘Way to keep this (expletive) going man. Hey, this ain’t our last time at this.’
Hurts shared a long embrace with Smith, hanging on his every word.
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‘We got some catching up to do now,’ Hurts replied. ‘Hey, it’s been a ride, huh? It’s been a ride. It’s been a ride, dog. It’s been a ride, man. You deserve it, bro. You deserve that (expletive). Embrace this (expletive) man, in your hometown. In your hometown.’
The ride couldn’t be more different for both players.
Smith lived a more charmed football life, winning two national championships and a Heisman Trophy in his four seasons with the Crimson Tide. He posted at least 1,200 receiving yards in his final two seasons, routinely carving up defenses at Alabama.
That would all add up to becoming the No. 10 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, heading to the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith has only continued to produce at a high level in the pros, with 4,011 yards and 27 touchdowns in just four seasons.
Hurts, on the other hand, endured a more bumpy ride to where he is now.
During the 2018 national championship game – the one both players won together – Hurts was benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa. It was the current Miami Dolphins quarterback that led Alabama to victory over Georgia, tossing the famous game-winning touchdown pass to Smith.
Tagovailoa would hold onto that starting gig the following year, relegating Hurts to the backup role. It’s become commonplace for players to transfer right away, but Hurts stuck around for the 2018 season.
He would go on to leave and play at Oklahoma in 2019, reviving his career and finishing as the Heisman runner-up to Joe Burrow.
The Eagles would come calling in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, taking the quarterback with the No. 53 pick. Hurts would be buried behind Carson Wentz on the depth chart during his rookie season, once again relegated to the backup role.
When Philadelphia moved on from Wentz, Hurts was finally given his chance and hasn’t let go.
They might’ve taken different routes, but all roads led to being Super Bowl champions for Hurts and Smith.