“Get Off My Back”: NFL’s Underrated Superstar Shows Revenge Stings

Best of Kendrick’s Superbowl LIX HT show | 02:40

For the second time, Jalen Hurts outplayed the NFL’s biggest name in a Super Bowl.

Watch the best of US sports live with ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

And this time he got what he deserved.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, much maligned at times during the 2024 season for his below-par passing performances, was named Super Bowl MVP after leading his side to a dominant 40-22 win over Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

While the Eagles’ stifling defence was the main reason for the win, Hurts was excellent and clearly outplayed his counterpart.

Two years ago, Hurts was also tremendous but could only stand on the sidelines watching as an injured Mahomes spearheaded a thrilling win.

But this time the Philly defence stood up – keeping the Chiefs scoreless until late in the third quarter and forcing multiple turnovers, including a pick six.

FLY EAGLES FLY: Chiefs crushed in shocking Super Bowl beatdown

‘UNBELIEVABLE’: Inside Mailata’s ‘Hollywood’ Super Bowl rise

HALFTIME SHOW: Controversial hit, legend’s cameo to spite rival stun US as fans torn

AUSSIE HISTORY: Mailata becomes first Australian to play in and win a Super Bowl

‘GODDAMN NIGHTMARE’: Mahomes crumbles in ugly Super Bowl scene as NFL reacts to 25-yr low

Hurts’ side of the ball also impressed, and remarkably given the scoreline it wasn’t because of Saquon Barkley, the superstar running back who was not very effective on Sunday night (US time).

Instead Hurts broke his own Super Bowl record with 72 rushing yards, the most by a QB in the title decider ever, and a touchdown plus 221 passing yards on 17 of 22 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception.

“I appreciate you. I appreciate you. Let ‘em know! Let the boys know, man! Tell ‘em to get off your back!” Eagles veteran Brandon Graham told him post-game.

It wasn’t an easy season for Hurts, who was criticised both externally and internally for his passing play.

Graham himself said in a radio interview Hurts and top receiver AJ Brown were friends but “things have changed”, later apologising for the “assumption”.

Brown, having been asked after a narrow win over lowly Carolina what needed to improve offensively, had said: “Passing”. The team had started the season slowly, going 2-2, with Hurts giving up seven turnovers over that period.

Coach Nick Sirianni said: “I don’t think the offence in general, as far as our pass game, was to our standard.

“But make no mistake about it: We’ve won nine games in a row, and Jalen Hurts is a big reason why we’ve won nine games in a row.”

With the running game dominant Hurts wasn’t required to dominate with his arm, but it was the more impressive element of the offence in Super Bowl 59 by far.

The 26-year-old was not expected to be an NFL superstar when he entered the league.

Hurts was a big-name quarterback in college, starting at Alabama straight out of high school, and led the Crimson Tide to consecutive national championship games.

But Hurts lost the first then, in the second, was benched halfway through the game and watched first-year back-up Tua Tagovailoa lead a comeback and eventual overtime victory.

After featuring as the back-up in his third college season Hurts transferred to Oklahoma, and also led the Sooners to the post-season, finishing second in the Heisman Trophy behind Joe Burrow. But he again lost in the playoffs, this time to Burrow’s LSU.

Hurts was taken with pick 53 in the second round of the 2020 Draft and was originally the third-string quarterback, but moved up the depth chart and replaced Carson Wentz late in the season.

He was surprisingly effective and has held the starting job ever since, leading the Eagles to the playoffs in 2021 (struggling in the wildcard loss to Tampa Bay), and then the Super Bowl in 2022.

His excellent performance in Super Bowl LVII helped vanquish the ghosts of postseasons past but he went into Super Bowl LIX trying to become just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to win a title after losing his first Super Bowl appearance.