South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has not been afraid to show her fandom and support for her hometown Philadelphia Eagles throughout her time in Columbia — as displayed by wearing the midnight green on the sidelines at times.
Now, one of the Eagles’ most important players is supporting her. Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was spotted at Sunday’s national championship game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland to watch Staley’s Gamecocks take on Caitlin Clark and Iowa.
Jalen Hurts in the house for the women’s national championship 🏆 pic.twitter.com/iAWhU6agYG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 7, 2024
Here’s what you need to know on why Hurts is in attendance for South Carolina vs. Iowa in the Women’s NCAA Tournament title game:
Why is Jalen Hurts at South Carolina national championship vs. Iowa?
Like many celebrities who have traveled to Cleveland this weekend, Hurts is in attendance at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to watch the star-studded lineup and matchups in this year’s Final Four but he’s also there to support Staley, who was born and raised in Philadelphia.
During last year’s NFL playoffs, Staley wore Eagles gear for every South Carolina game. She even sported a vintage Randall Cunningham jersey for the Gamecocks’ game last year against LSU on the day of the Super Bowl, when the Eagles took on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dawn Staley coaching in her hometown Eagles gear 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wx5Q8gBf8q
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) February 6, 2023
Hurts has also been a big advocate of women’s sports and women working in sports. When Hurts signed his lucrative contract extension with the Eagles last offseason, his agent, Nicole Lynn, made storylines and history as she was the agent who made the league’s then-highest-paid player with a record five-year, $255 million contract.
For Sunday’s title game — one that South Carolina looks to win and become the 10th team in women’s basketball history to go undefeated during an entire season — Hurts is taking in the game sitting next to “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts court side. He is also expected to make a guest appearance on “The Bird and Taurasi” simulcast with UConn and WNBA legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi on ESPN at some point this afternoon.
Jalen Hurts and Robin Roberts had to witness the madness up close 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wmVvv6rue2
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 7, 2024
Jalen Hurts-Dawn Staley relationship
In short, it has to do with the City of Brotherly Love.When asked by Bird and Taurasi about his relationship with Staley and how it started, Hurts pointed out how he got to first know her through her cousin, Duce Staley, who coached Hurts in Philadelphia during his NFL rookie season in 2020. Duce Staley was the Eagles’ running back coach and assistant coach that season.
“I kind of got connected that way,” Hurts said. “Then she was doing her thing here (at South Carolina). I’ve done community work at the Hank Gathers Community Center (in North Philadelphia) where she grew up in Philly so it is definitely deep ties there.
“But I just love great coaching. I love and respect how she goes about it, the leader she is, the competitor she is, how she’s able to relate and she’s just special. She’s special. And I know Coach Geno (Auriemma at UConn), I wanted to talk about that and his greatness and everything he’s been able to accomplish because that’s just something that you have to appreciate. You see the sustainability and everything they’ve been able to do at their programs, is great.”
Jalen Hurts college
Hurts began his career at the University of Alabama where he won the SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Newcomer of the Year (AP) and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in his freshman year. He led the Crimson Tide to a national championship his freshman season in 2017 as he ran for a 30-yard go-ahead TD with 2:07 remaining against Clemson.
He then transferred to the University of Oklahoma to play for then-Sooners coach Lincoln Riley for the final two seasons of his career where he was a the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2019.
Where is Jalen Hurts from?
Hurts is a native of Houston. He graduated from Channelview High School in Harris County, Texas.
