Jalen Hurts has had quite a successful past few months, and he's only adding to his esteemed accolades with his latest career move.
The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback-who led his team to a Super Bowl win in February and even clenched MVP-is now pivoting into children's literature, a surprise venture away from the world of sports.
After taking the football world by storm, the pro athlete, 26, is set to release his debut picture book Better Than a Touchdown. The title is scheduled for publication on March 10, 2026, by Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Related: Cameraman Takes a Dangerous Tumble While Filming Jason Kelce at Eagles Tailgate in New Video
Inspired by his own childhood in Houston, the NFL star wrote a 40-page story about a boy named Jalen. When his school's football team is suddenly cut, the young hero rallies his friends-and his community-to save it. Through this tale, Hurts weaves in themes of resilience, teamwork, self-belief, and the power of giving back. The book is illustrated by Nneka Myers, who brings the narrative's optimism and heart to life with vivid artwork.
Hurts made the announcement on NBC's Today show and in a video from Tice Elementary School, the same library he once visited as a child. "This has been a cherished dream of mine," he shared via social media, adding, "And I hope it inspires young minds and readers of all ages to believe in themselves and never lose sight of their dreams."
This literary endeavor follows his significant offseason roster-including a $200,000 donation toward school air conditioning units-and aligns with his mission of uplifting youth through both his charitable foundation and now storytelling.
With Better Than a Touchdown, Hurts aims to inspire children, educators, mentors, and families by showing that setbacks can be the beginning of something great-both on and off the field.
Pre-orders are live at $19.99 via major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved