Jalen Hurts Has A 6-Year-Old Fan Whose Backpack Went Viral: What’s The Story Behind?
Alexander August’s parents anticipated him to respond that he wanted a bag that depicted Cam Newton when they asked him what sort of backpack he wanted this year. They just realised they have a huge Hurts fan right there!
They were shocked by the 6-year-old.
Jalen Hurts Has A 6-Year-Old Fan Whose Backpack Went Viral: What’s The Story Behind?
Brothers Alexander, 8, and Brayden, 8, are both die-hard football fans. They both play quarterback for their flag football teams, and they like analyzing old NCAA games by repeatedly pausing the video to focus on certain plays, “like two little old men talking about the game.”
That’s Lit, Alexander !! I had to get me a backpack with YOUR name on it too haha 😬💪🏽! #TWINS @nikkgphd https://t.co/5wIlTX7m2u pic.twitter.com/bZnu4cPfJM
— Jalen Hurts (@JalenHurts) August 18, 2020
Alexander is a fan of Hurts. Since Hurts is a rookie, it’s harder to get NFL memorabilia for him, so Nikki asked her mother Cynthia to make something. Cynthia printed Jalen Hurts’ name using a Cricut machine on Alexander’s blue backpack. Late in July, Nikki shared a picture of it on Twitter. She then promptly forgot about it until weeks later, when her phone began to buzz with alerts.
It’s simple to respect Jalen for how he handled himself with composure and maturity after Tua Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to victory in the 2017 season’s national championship game after Jalen was benched with Alabama at halftime.
How Cool is this!!
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Surprised kids on ESPN after 6 year old fan Alexander wanted a Hurts 🎒 backpack, which his grandma made
Hurts so touched, he had same backpack made with “Alexander” on it
📸 via @SportsCenter@6abc@JalenHurts@Eagles@RB_Mrs#Eagles pic.twitter.com/AsisRlEyXt
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) August 23, 2020
Jalen received another chance to start two years later at Oklahoma, where he became the first quarterback to guide two teams to the College Football Playoffs, won the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year award, and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Hurts was his new favorite player, something his parents were completely unaware of. Alexander was captivated to Hurts despite the fact that he was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Hey @JalenHurts – Alexander wanted me to send this to you. He was so excited to find you in the @cfbhall (and is now ready for his Mimi to make a new Jalen backpack for school) 😂🤦🏽♀️ @Eagles @AgentNicoleLynn #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/KmbGOhSWdY
— Nikki G (@nikkgphd) July 18, 2021
“It was refreshing that he gravitated toward someone like Jalen,” said Nikki, who spent 11 years as an event and production coordinator for ESPN, and still works for the company in a freelance capacity for special events like the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia. You want your kids to excel in whatever their passion is, but you also want them to understand that it’s equally as important to be a good person and to take time and give back and recognize the blessing that you have, and I think they see all of that in him.”
It’s a nice tale that a 6-year-old Baton Rouge boy who was a big Jalen Hurts fan received a specially constructed bag as a result, but if it stopped there, you wouldn’t be reading this at this very now.
@JalenHurts Just read about you getting an "Alexander" backpack because a young fan got a "Jalen Hurts" backpack and that's just the coolest thing. Good on you, son.
— Fearless Floyd (@fearsomefloyd) August 28, 2020
The subsequent events were pretty wonderful. It turns out that Hurts also acquired a blue rucksack with Alexander’s name printed on it.
The next morning, when Alexander learned about it, he was “over the moon,” according to Nikki. Alexander hadn’t learned about it until then. He created a sign thanking Hurts right away, which his mother posted on social media. He carries his backpack with him everywhere. He attends a virtual school, yet he was still able to brag about it to his peers.
Alexander wanted a Jalen Hurts backpack. It didn't take long until @JalenHurts wanted an Alexander backpack. This interview with Alexander, his mother and brother Brayden (a @CameronNewton fan) will make your day. (Photo source: Nikki Godfrey) –> https://t.co/lMkvoRIrAX pic.twitter.com/WBJkR1v8Kw
— WBRC FOX6 News (@WBRCnews) August 20, 2020
Hurts tweeted that on August 17 at 9:04 p.m. He gave his 6-year-old super fan a personalized Alexander bag as a token of appreciation.
“Now to have the same platform in a sense and to be able to touch so many people, I try to take advantage of every opportunity I can. It’s a blessing. That means the world to me,” Hurts said to the Eagles’ website. “That’s what it’s all about – giving back, showing love, and helping others. That’s what it comes down to. That’s the rent we pay to live on this earth.”
“It was incredible!” Alexander spoke of the day his mother showed him the tweet.
Took him a little time to get over the #SuperBowl. He’s replaced the #backpack with a jersey, phone case, and his fav socks and Alexander is still rocking with @JalenHurts 💚 #FlyEaglesFly @AgentNicoleLynn pic.twitter.com/tJQQ3Lj2jY
— Nikki G (@nikkgphd) February 21, 2023
Alexander had a huge grin on his face as he fell asleep that night.
Hurts shocked Alexander by showing up on air during the family’s ESPN SportsCenter interview, which gave the story a boost over the weekend.
“Alexander, man, I just want to say thank you for the love you’ve shown me. Appreciate the kind words,” said Hurts, who has decided his new friend’s nickname is “Alexander the Great” and he might have to carry the backpack around with him this season for good luck. “You can do anything you put your mind to. I just want you to know that.”
In case you’re wondering – the boys are besides themselves right now. Alexander will not have a voice after this game @JalenHurts! @Eagles I’m hoping the backpack makes it out unharmed. pic.twitter.com/Au38h6q5qF
— Nikki G (@nikkgphd) December 13, 2020
“Yes sir,” Alexander said in a Zoom call with NBC Sports Philadelphia this week when asked if Hurts was his favorite player. “He can throw, he’s fast and he’s smart.”
“He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s fast,” Alexander said of Hurts. “He’s a good person, and he’s a champion.”
Hurts, 22, assured Alexander that three jerseys were their route to his residence so that he wouldn’t need to worry about Hurts memorabilia ever again.
https://twitter.com/SportsEngine/status/1296891601881640961?s=20
Hurts’ outreach was very much appreciated.
“As a mom, I’m really touched because I think he’s a great example, he’s a model of perseverance, of teamwork, of all the things you want your kids to display even outside of athletics,” she said. “I’m excited that they get to be recognized by him, that he sees them and that he sees the importance of reaching out to these young fans that are out there.”
The #Eagles in their last 12 season openers are 10-2.
Eagles will defeat the Patriots 24-20 in Week 1.
Notable predictions:
* Jalen Hurts 3 total touchdowns
* Reed Blankenship 1 interception
* Defensive line records 4 sacks
* 10-7 final first quarter, Patriots lead
* AJ… pic.twitter.com/GUsgs44GpV— ʟᴇᴇᴍ (fan) 🦇 (@RunHurts) September 2, 2023
Since selecting Hurts in the second round of the April draft, the Eagles have gushed over the man Hurts is. In addition to his ability on the field, the Eagles thought he would fit in well in the organization, particularly in the quarterback room. But for a rookie in his first NFL training camp, a 22-year-old, to make such an impressive gesture is pretty amazing. He’s got a million other things on his mind.
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