On Feb. 9, Jalen Hurts went down in history as the third Black quarterback to carry MVP honors at the Super Bowl, thanks to his blowout game-winning performance at Super Bowl LIX. He joins Nick Foles as the only Philadelphia Eagles players to ever hold such an honor, and the team’s first QB to lead them to two championship games. Since Hurts is such a massive name in the NFL right now, it makes sense that sports fans are looking into every aspect of his life, from his ethnic background and family history, to his squeaky-clean scandal-free career. If you’re interested in learning more about the 2025 Super Bowl MVP, we’ve got you covered, with a detailed look into his life and upbringing.
What Is Jalen Hurts’ Ethnicity?
As stated, Jalen Hurts is a Black man. Though we don’t know much about what part of Africa his ancestors hail from, we do know that Hurts is an all-American athlete, born and bred in the culture of Houston, Texas. The 26-year-old has expressed pride in his African American identity on numerous occasions throughout his thriving career, and has leveraged his position to support Black youths from all over the nation. He was born in August 1998, and attended Channelview High School just outside of Houston, Texas. From a young age, Hurts developed a passion for football, thanks in no small part to his father Averion. His very first MVP honors were awarded during his junior year in high school, where the future Super Bowl champion ranked among the top up-and-coming quarterbacks in the nation and graduated with a four-star recruit score.
Given that Jalen Hurts was such a breakout talent in his youth, it makes sense that he was highly sought after by several Division I colleges including Texas A&M. After careful consideration, he ultimately decided to play for the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide, where he was quickly chosen as the starting QB. At Alabama, Hurts was mentored by the likes of Bo Davis and Lane Kiffin, throwing nearly 2,800 yards and 23 touchdowns in his Freshman season. After playing for several years with the Crimson Tide, Hurts completed his Bachelor’s program and transferred to the University of Oklahoma to pursue a post-grad degree. The Houston native quickly became a major asset to Oklahoma’s Sooners team, leading them to the Big 12 Championship and recording almost 4,000 passing yards in a single season.
Texas Native’s Road to Super Bowl LIX
In his final year of college ball, Hurts finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, just behind Louisiana State University’s Joe Burrow. After completing his Master’s degree in human relations, the Southern icon was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the NFL draft and instantly made a name for himself on the national stage. The esteemed quarterback has since become a cornerstone of the Birds’ success, as the team has now appeared in two of the last three championship games, facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs both times. Though the Eagles were considered the underdogs by a fine margin heading into Super Bowl LIX, Hurts was revered by fans and commentators alike for his ability to build a strong rapport with his team, creating a careful synergy within the offensive line that can’t be matched by any other NFL franchise at this time.
Jalen Hurts is currently signed to a five-year $255 million contract with the Eagles, which he inked back in April of 2023. For a brief moment, he was considered the highest-paid player in the sport, though that figure has since been eclipsed. Still, two Super Bowl appearances and one blowout win mean that Hurts will have significant bargaining power when it comes time to extend his contract, as he is currently considered one of the hottest commodities in football. Clearly, the star player’s cultural background and upbringing have been very significant to his overall success, as Hurts maintains a strict schedule, a no-nonsense attitude on the field and a candid, relaxed demeanor in interviews and press conferences.
Who Are Jalen Hurts’ Parents?
When discussing Jalen Hurts’ cultural background, it only makes sense to highlight his mother and father, who have been by his side encouraging and supporting him from day one. The NFL star’s mother, Pamela, and his father, Averion, have both devoted their lives to careers in education, helping to mold the minds of the future. Pamela has college degrees in both business administration and youth counseling and served as the mathematics teacher in the special education department of a Channelview junior high school. After being promoted to Special Services Department Chair, she eventually took on a role with the Channelview Public School District, where she helps to provide stronger care and access to resources for all of the schools in her community. Jalen’s father has a more hands-on role with his students, as he has served as a football coach for the entirety of his super-star athlete son’s life.
Much like Jalen, Averion was an all-star college athlete with dreams of making it to the pros, though he ultimately sustained a career-ending injury in 1994. Rather than giving up his love of the game, Hurts turned to coaching in many Texas schools. By the time his son was in high school, he too was coached by Averion, which helped to drive his passion to the next level. During a 2023 interview with the NFL, Hurts spoke directly about his father’s influence, explaining, “He’s the reason I am who I am on the field, off the field. Being a coach’s kid, I talk about it all the time, but I truly lean on that… I always go back to my experience and my time of being a coach’s kid… Those are special times. But I learned so much, and I saw him lead.”
The Champion’s Family Is Stacked With Athletic Talent
Though Jalen Hurts is the most decorated in his family, the Super Bowl champion comes from a tight-knit clan of athletic talent. As stated, his father Averion was highly skilled on the field, and Jalen’s two siblings Kynnedy and Averion Jr. each had sporting success in their own right. Now as an adult, Kynnedy lives a quiet and reserved life away from the cameras, but she was a recognized star volleyball player during her time in high school. Likewise, Averion Jr. played alongside his father and brother on the scholastic field and ultimately went on to coach high school football in Baytown, Texas.
For now, Hurts doesn’t have any children, though that could soon change. The beloved QB announced his engagement with long-time girlfriend Bry Burrows during the 2024 NFL season, so it’s likely that the happy couple will begin thinking about starting a family once they finish wedding planning. Burrows and Hurts have been dating since his early days with the Crimson Tide at Alabama State. If the former’s family tree is any indication of what’s to come, we can assume that his children will have a deep passion for sports, and plenty of athletic training.
