Jalen Hurts doesn’t have to choose which team to represent, Alabama or Oklahoma, in Saturday’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He’ll get to pay tribute to both schools with a special helmet featuring the Sooners’ logo on one side and his No. 2 from his time with the Crimson Tide on the other.
In fact, two of these helmets were specially made by Riddell, with the game’s executive director, Jim Nagy, giving Hurts one, while a second one will be auctioned off to raise money for Special Spectators, a charity that provides VIP experiences for children battling illnesses, per multiple reports.
“That’s a pleasant surprise,” the former Oklahoma and Alabama quarterback said about the helmet, via AL.com.
Pretty cool moment here at the Senior Bowl: Jalen Hurts will wear a helmet representing both #Alabama and #Oklahoma during Saturday’s game. pic.twitter.com/L9iFSiPU0L
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) January 21, 2020
This helmet is perfect for Hurts, who had a remarkable college career playing for two of the best teams in the country.
Aforementioned Hurts helmet … I'm told the crimsons on each half are a shade different — OU's crimson is slightly brighter. pic.twitter.com/0QLYl7TDPa
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 21, 2020
Going to the College Football Playoff in each of his four years, Hurts spent the first three seasons of his college career with Alabama.
He was the starter in 2016 and 2017 but was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in the latter season’s national championship game before ultimately losing the starting job. But he stayed with the Crimson Tide in 2018 as the second-stringer, and when Tagovailoa was injured in the SEC championship game, Hurts went in and led his team to victory.
As a grad transfer, Hurts finished his college career with Oklahoma, flourishing in Lincoln Riley’s high-powered offense. As a 2019 Heisman Trophy finalist, Hurts finished the season with a 69.7 completion percentage and threw for 3,851 yards while rushing for nearly 1,300 more.
Oklahoma finished 12-2 after a devastating blowout loss in the CFP semifinal to ultimate national champion LSU.
“I don’t think there is any experience that I would go back and exchange or change,” Hurts said ahead of the Senior Bowl, via ESPN. “Everything has happened for a reason. It’s all happened as it’s supposed to.
“I think I’m stronger, wiser, a better man, player, leader for everything.”
The Senior Bowl is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on the NFL Network.
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