Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a mantra: “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Lately, that’s been winning football games: The Eagles are 2-0 to start the season and in the first tier of Super Bowl favorites.
Considering that, it’s wild to remember that heading into the start of last season, there were some pundits questioning the production the Philadelphia Eagles could expect from the quarterback position. Hurts responded by leading his team to a 14-3 record, being runner-up for MVP, and was arguably the best player on the field in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Eagles responded by locking Hurts up to a five-year contract extension. At only 24, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he has his Disneyland moment. GQ caught up with Hurts to discuss the soulful tunes he used to put that title loss behind him, his partnership with energy drink brand Accelerator, and his favorite Philly restaurants.
For Real-Life Diet, GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and other high performers about their diet, exercise routines, and pursuit of wellness. Keep in mind that what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.
GQ: Was there anything you learned about yourself last season?
Jalen Hurts: I learned the importance of staying true to myself and that was from the preparation I was putting in. It’s all about how you prepare, the work you put in, and being mindful of what you’re chasing and what your purpose is. It’s a daily and consistent grind. You have to be urgent and intentional about what your purpose and passion are while putting the time in.
What are some ways you used to put that game behind you?
I think the music I listen to is always therapeutic. It allows me to get my mind to another place and just enjoy the good tunes of my favorite artists. There’s Anita Baker, Frankie Beverly and Maze, and Bobby Brown. There’s Luther [Vandross], Tony! Toni! Toné!, Al Green, The Isley Brothers. I also had a couple of crawfish boils that were also fun.
How has your approach to your diet changed from when you first entered the league?
I don’t eat pork. It’s not for any religious purposes—it’s just something that I let go. I grew up being a big baby back rib and pork chop guy—bacon and all of that. That was something I don’t feel like my body reacted to in a positive way and I noticed that in high school, honestly. The pork was something I parted ways with. Now, there are a couple of things that get the green flag for me and that’s a couple of things my grandmother cooks. I don’t eat the pig feet like I used to but she makes chitterlings and tripe. I’ll eat that probably once—if I’m lucky, twice a year. It’s been that way over the last seven to eight years.
Are you throwing some Louisiana hot sauce on the chitterlings and tripe?
Christopher Cason
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