NO HURTS FEELINGS?
Alabama shows its reverence for Jalen Hurts with a tribute video
Jalen Hurts announced his transfer from Alabama to Oklahoma on Jan. 16. And Josh Maxon had a thought.
Hurts deserved a tribute. Even if he was trading in Crimson Tide for crimson and cream, Hurts was something special at Alabama. It didn't seem right to let Hurts leave without a salute.
So Maxon, Bama's director of football communications and Nick Saban's PR man, scooted over to the Tide's multimedia people, and within 24 hours came a short video that lauded Alabama's two-year quarterback.
“For every pass, every run, every game winner. Thank you, Jalen,” read the tweet that carried the video to the masses.
We don't know yet exactly what kind of quarterback the Sooners have on their hands. Hurts, even when leading Alabama to a 26-2 record, didn't show the tools of Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray. Will Lincoln Riley have to tinker with the offense? Can Hurts throw well enough to mimic the Sooner success? Will Riley let Hurts lower his shoulder and run?
Questions for a September day.
But this we know already. The new Oklahoma quarterback is held in the highest esteem in the football kingdom of Alabama. The way Hurts conducted himself, the leadership he displayed, the class with which he handled a demotion, forever has endeared him to all who love the Crimson Tide.
Maxon, from Miami in the northeast corner of Oklahoma and an OSU graduate, didn't think twice about ordering the video. Didn't even run it past Saban. Maxon knew how Saban felt. The way Hurts handled being benched for the 2018 season in favor of phenom Tua Tagovailoa – no whining, no complaining, no leaving – is not the 21st century custom. And when Hurts led Bama to a come-from-behind victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game when Tagovailoa was injured, Bama's thrill of victory was matched by its joy for Hurts.
In the post-game on-field interview with CBS, the crusty Saban gets downright emotional, talking about Hurts. Maxon included the clip in the video. When Hurts lost his starting job, he had enticing options, courtesy of NCAA rules. Hurts was on path to graduate (and did) in December.
That meant he was eligible to transfer and play immediately. And the new NCAA rule that allows players to keep an extra year of eligibility in seasons when they play no more than four games meant Hurts could have left Bama and had two seasons to play.
But Hurts didn't take the bait. And when Tagovailoa was injured against Georgia, Hurts was ready. Alabama rallied from a 28-14 deficit and won 35-28, with Hurts directing the final two touchdown drives. Already a hero, Hurts became a legend.
“He did so much for us,” Maxon said. “He was always a great teammate. He just did everything the right way.
“I know that situation was tough for him. Coming off last year's championship game and not being the guy this year. But
he always handled it with class. He always kept his head in the game. He could have left, it could have been a distraction in the middle of the year. I just thought we should say thank you as a program.”
Unprecedented. That describes the whole story. Unprecedented the way Hurts handled a tricky situation. Unprecedented the way Alabama feels about its departed quarterback.
Some transfers are patted on the back. Sugar Bowl hero Trevor Knight was beaten out by Mayfield, and when Knight graduated and transferred to Texas A&M, Sooner Nation figuratively wished Knight well.
But there were no tears of appreciation. No salutations. No videos.
“Coach said more than once it was kind of unprecedented for Jalen to stick around and be the guy we needed him to be,” Maxon said. “It meant a lot to Coach. It was hard for Coach. Coach is a loyal guy. I think it was hard for Coach not to go with Jalen, just for what Jalen had done for the program.”
Saban, though, had no choice. Hurts was a tremendous quarterback for Bama. But Tagovailoa was better. Players knew. Saban had to go with Tagovailoa. But Hurts didn't have to respond with class. He chose to do that.
“I've probably never been more proud of a player than Jalen,” Saban said after the SEC title game. “You've got to have a tremendous amount of character and class to put team first, knowing your situation is not what it used to be, and for a guy that's a great competitor, that takes a lot.”
In as difficult of a situation as a college quarterback is likely to find himself, Hurts put team before self. And now, at least for the 2019 season, the amount of crimson cheering on the Sooners will double. Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel.