10 Facts About Jalen Hurts (& Why Michael Jordan Is His Idol)

While Jalen Hurts was growing up, his mother juggled a job, school, and childcare (per Sports Illustrated). Hurts admired her work ethic. "I admire anyone who puts their head down and works for what they want," he said. "And I know women who do that daily, but they don't get the same praise as men — they don't get the praise that they deserve."

Hurts had a chance to see this inequality in the world of sports when he first sought representation. He was approached by NFL agent Nicole Lynn after his final college game and, after a few meetings, Hurts signed with her. But almost as soon as Lynn became his agent, she was disparaged by her male colleagues. One of them went to Hurts and said, "Hey, if baby girl doesn't work out, give us a call. She's sweet, but — you know."

His own potential having been put down before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, Hurts resented Lynn facing similar disparagement. He felt a kindred spirit in her fighting back against those attitudes and wanted his younger sister, as enthusiastic about volleyball as he'd been for football, to have a positive example. Since becoming a professional player, Hurts has kept an all-female management team. And his contribution to the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" program promoted the Women's Sports Foundation (per ESPN).

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