Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been named to Time magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, capping off a milestone year both on and off the field.
The honor comes just months after Hurts led the Eagles to a commanding 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, earning MVP honors in the process.
Jalen Hurts, more than a quarterback
Hurts, 26, was selected under the “Icons” category in this year’s Time 100, marking his first appearance on the list.
He joins a select group of athletes honored this year, including Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Léon Marchand.
His inclusion reflects not only his recent success but also his growing impact beyond football.
Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter penned Hurts’ tribute for the magazine, writing: “I admire how great athletes deal with both success and failure. What Jalen Hurts went through in being benched during the 2018 National Championship game would break a lot of people down. But not Jalen; he focused on what he could control and found a new path to success.”
Jeter highlighted Hurts’ response to adversity, noting how the quarterback used past disappointment as fuel: “In the NFL, Jalen didn’t let a Super Bowl defeat in 2023 shake his confidence. He used that loss as motivation and kept a picture of himself walking off the field after losing as his phone lock screen.”
He added, “This past February, Jalen found himself on the Super Bowl stage again. This time he led Philadelphia to a convincing victory in its rematch with Kansas City. Sometimes people win, then exhale. Jalen is not exhaling. He’s embracing the next challenge.”
Hurts has also made his mark off the field.
He’s the global flag football ambassador for the 2028 Olympic Games and a vocal supporter of women’s sports.
His all-female management team reflects his commitment to representation, and he continues to support youth initiatives through the Jalen Hurts Foundation.
His “Keep it Cool” campaign, which installed air conditioners in Philadelphia schools, earned him recognition as the 2024 Philadelphia Citizen of the Year.
Originally drafted by the Eagles in 2020, Hurts has become the face of the franchise and one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
With a Super Bowl ring, multiple Pro Bowl selections, and now a spot among the world’s most influential figures, his legacy in Philadelphia is only growing.
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