Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will appear on the cover the Sports Illustrated’s September 2023 issue, according to NFL.com
The magazine’s football preview features Hurts on the cover with an NFL football and a pair of Eagles-themed Jordan 1’s, along with the tagline ‘Philly’s New Fresh Prince’.
Hurts, who signed a $255 million contract extension in the offseason, has become the face of the franchise after leading the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.
Recently, Kansas City Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid opened up about his feelings on Hurts heading into the upcoming season.
”Yeah, he’s a good one, boy,” Reid said in a radio appearance. “I’m happy for Howie [Roseman] and the staff there that they’ve got him. He’s a good kid and he’s a heck of a player. The Eagles are in good hands, man. Philadelphia will have an opportunity to win every year with him.”
Hurts Earns Sports Illustrated Cover & Featured Article
The Eagles’ superstar QB also has his own featured article in the magazine, titled ‘Jalen Hurts is the Most Intentional Athlete in Sports’ by senior writer Greg Bishop.
Bishop covers everything from Hurts’ passion to bring another Super Bowl trophy to Philadelphia, his graduation from Oklahoma, and why his brother calls him ‘The Robot’.
The story also reveals a personal story from Hurts.
After taking the blame for last season’s Super Bowl LVII loss versus the Chiefs, Hurts was approached by an Eagles’ staffer, who offered a tidbit of encouragement.
“Bro, you’re a big reason we got here, and you’re a big reason we’re gonna get back,” he told the Eagles’ QB. “And we’re gonna finish this thing.”
“You’re f—ing right,” Hurts replied.
Is There A Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx?
Eagles fans were happy when Hurts avoided the infamous Madden cover jinx. Instead, Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen will grace the video game cover and attempt to break the curse.
However, that doesn’t that the Eagles’ are in the clear just yet.
Being featured on the Sports Illustrated cover hasn’t always been friendly to athletes, especially in the NFL.
Over time, the SI cover jinx has affected quarterbacks from Jim Kelly to Cam Newton, Brett Favre, and Ryan Leaf. Other plays have also succumbed to the SI jinx, including Leonard Fournette and Adrian Peterson among others.
NFL players aren’t the only athletes that have been injured or suffered a downturn in their respective careers after being featured on the Sports Illustrated cover.
MLB legend, Albert Puljos, Olympian Michael Phelps, and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper have also been subject to the SI cover jinx.
