The lights of the Linc shone bright for the banner raising. A sea of midnight green roared with anticipation. But this opener was special for Jalen Hurts. There was a buzz that went beyond the typical Eagles-Cowboys rivalry.
This was about something more. A presence was felt, a shadow of greatness watching from a suite above. The stage wasn't just set for a win... it was set for a statement.
That statement came not just with a 24-20 victory... It came with a post-game confession. A reporter asked about the iconic shoulder shrug after Hurts' first touchdown. Hurts’ answer was revealing. "Yeah. You know, when you have a special guest, special friend in attendance, there's only one thing you can do, and that's to win. So, got a lot of love for him."
The "special friend" was none other than Michael Jordan. And this wasn’t a random celebrity sighting.
This was also a calculated partnership. Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, is a Jordan Brand athlete. He wore custom Air Jordans on the field. And then delivered a performance worthy of the brand’s namesake. He was ruthlessly efficient, completing 19-of-23 passes. A force on the ground, scrambling for two critical touchdowns.
The game itself was a bizarre grind. Star receiver A.J. Brown was inexplicably silent for nearly the entire contest. The defense lost Jalen Carter to an ejection early on. A weather delay added another layer of strangeness. Through it all, Hurts was the steady hand. He operated like a seasoned ace closing out a World Series game, unfazed by the chaos.
A Mentorship Forged in Competition
The relationship between Hurts and Jordan has been brewing for a while. In July, Hurts told D.J. Siddiqi of Esports Insider, "That's been a growing relationship and growing friendship. And obviously the mentality he's had, what he's meant to competitive sports, speaks for itself." Hence, this is more than an endorsement deal.
It is a pupil seeking wisdom from the ultimate master of clutch. Hurts has been vocal about valuing this access. He said in May, "As competitive as he is, it would be unwise of me not to seek knowledge from him."
So, this isn’t about mimicking a fadeaway jumper. It’s about absorbing a mindset. It’s about understanding the relentless drive required to stay on top once you’ve reached the summit.
The immediate payoff was clear against Dallas. When his primary weapons were taken away, Hurts didn’t force the issue. He took what the defense gave him. He trusted lesser-targeted players like Jahan Dotson, who hauled in a 51-yard bomb. Dotson noted the built trust, saying, “He’s seen me make plays, so he has the trust in me to go make a play for the team.” That’s leadership forged in confidence.
Hurts has always been physically gifted and fiercely determined. Now, he’s adding a layer of Jordan-esque situational IQ. He’s learning to win even when the plan falls apart. He’s cultivating an aura that the biggest moments are his moments. This connection provides an intangible edge that stats can’t measure.
The journey for back-to-back titles is a marathon filled with obstacles. But with a ‘special friend’ in his corner, Hurts seems ready for the climb. Now the Chiefs loom on in Week 2—a rematch of Super Bowl LIX.
Hurts vs. Mahomes—Jordan vs. LeBron debates in the stands.
Read more:Travis Kelce makes surprising Eagles confession ahead of Cowboys clash
And somewhere in a luxury box, MJ will be watching. Not clapping. Just nodding. Like he did in '98. Because when your special friend is the GOAT, you don’t just win. You arrive.