Jalen Hurts becomes first-ever Eastbay brand ambassador

Before the Philadelphia Eagles kick off the 2021 regular season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 12, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts signed a significant off-field deal with Eastbay. The two-year partnership with Eastbay makes him the online athletic retailer’s first-ever brand ambassador.

According to a report from Forbes’ Chris Cason, part of Hurts’ deal means he’ll be the face of the company’s brand-new performance line titled “Game, Train, Live” that is set to launch in September. Additionally, some of Hurts’ own personal phrases will be used in the branding: “rare breed” and “untamed” will be included in the line’s pre-sale advertising. Hurts will also be featured on Eastbay advertising campaigns as well as the company’s social channels, per Forbes.

“This is a something that’s very authentic for me,” Hurts said. “I’m one of those kids that Eastbay played a key factor in my life while growing up, especially every fall when football season came around and I was searching for new football cleats. Eastbay always came through in the clutch. I’m happy to be where I’m at today and be able to partner with them and be their first brand ambassador.”

Hurts’ favorite pieces from the new athletic wear line are the shorts, tech fleece hoodies and pants, he said, according to Forbes.

Hurts continues his climb

Selected in the second-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts had to earn the right to start at quarterback for the Eagles, and he finally received his chance to hold the starting role towards the end of the season. He ended up winning the job from then-starter Carson Wentz, and Hurts finished the season with 1,061 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and four interceptions while holding a 52 percent completion rate. Meanwhile, in those four games started, Hurts had 354 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

He’ll look to adjust to the pace of the NFL in his second season, after most of his first season was spent as a second-string quarterback amid a COVID-impacted season.

“At times, I’ve felt like a rookie again with the new things I’m experiencing just because I couldn’t experience it last year,” he said. “It’s been really fun and I’m just taking things as they come and trying to be in the moment but I’m excited about what’s to come.”

Hurts spent three seasons as a quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide before Tua Tagovailoa won the starting job following his comeback victory in the 2017 national championship. Hurts then transferred to Oklahoma, where in 2019 he finished as a Heisman Trophy runner-up. He finished his collegiate career starting three of his four years, tallying 9,477 passing yards and completing 65.1 percent of his passes, while throwing 80 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.