Jalen Hurts had some big names pop in his notifications after the NFC Championship game, but it would be hard to imagine any bigger than the first two that flashed across his phone two weeks ago.
“You know who the first people to text me after the NFC Championship Game – the first two people that popped up?” Hurts said in an interview with FOX Sports that aired on the Super Bowl pregame show. “Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter.”
Hurts’ connection to Jordan is well known. He kept a photo of Jordan in his locker during the lead-up to his last Super Bowl appearance two years ago. Hurts is also one of the NFL’s most prominent Jordan Brand athletes.
But his connection to Jeter (who also was a Jordan Brand athlete when he was a player) is less well known.
But Hurts said the connection is no less significant.
“Those guys have been very influential on my approach,” Hurts said. “I had to manage the different things that come with the responsibility that a player like myself may have.”
Hurts had to manage the quick ascension to stardom. He’s had to manage the pressure that comes with success and a new contract. He’s had to manage people questioning his ability. He’s had to manage the disappointment of playing one of the best games of his career in his last Super Bowl appearance against the Chiefs, and coming up short anyway.
Now, he’s back in the Super Bowl with the chance to quiet of his doubters and put the disappointment of his last appearance behind him.
So what was Jeter’s message to Hurts when he sent that text moments after the NFC Championship game two weeks ago?
FOX Sports’ Erin Andrews, who interviewed hurts, said she got in touch with Jeter, her colleague at the network, to find out:
“Not done. Gotta go win one more.”