Jalen Hurts makes Cam Newton eat his own words as NFL icon backs down
Cam Newton was not convinced by Jalen Hurts until the Philadelphia Eagles star's performance in the Super Bowl.
Carolina Panthers legend Cam Newton admitted he was wrong to underestimate Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback was the maestro in an astonishing win against Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
Hurts completely overshadowed Patrick Mahomes, who was bidding to become the first QB to win three Super Bowls in a row. Mahomes was the bookies favourite to secure another triumph and pick up his third consecutive MVP award.
Newton was one of many expecting the Texas native to do the same, having claimed Hurts was not an elite level quarterback. After the Eagles' triumph, Newton admitted he got it all wrong.
Related articles
Speaking on his '4th&1 with Cam Newton' podcast, Newton said: "I'm not too good to say that I f***ed up and made a mistake. Boy oh boy, was I wrong, because every time he (Jalen Hurts) plays an AFC opponent, I think their record is like 15-1.
"They are strong! Does this put him in elite status? I think so... I don't think anybody wants to see a Jalen Hurts or play against him."
His admission is a sharp turn from his former comments as Newton once disparaged the idea that Hurts would stand out in the AFC's deep pool of incredible quarterbacks. He previously said: "All of the game-changers are in the AFC.
"If you put the Philadelphia Eagles or Jalen Hurts in the AFC would he have been able to have gotten to the Super Bowl as many times? When you see Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson, that's must-see TV.
"When you see Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson or even Joe Burrow, that's must-see TV, right? What's must-see TV in the NFC?"
Hurts recorded a 225 passing yard average and a 70% completion rate over three games. Looking back on those statistics, Newton added: "The times that Hurts has played Patrick Mahomes, he's outplayed him every single time. Does this put him in elite status? I think so...I don't think anybody wants to see a Jalen Hurts or play against him."
In the Super Bowl, Hurts racked up 221 throwing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and one rushing touchdown, cementing his tenacity and ability to turn challenges to his advantage. After securing victory, Hurts said: "I took great pride in never backing down from a challenge, always turning my negatives into positives.
"In the end, things come right on time. Last time around, it wasn't our time. It wasn't my time. Sometimes you have to wait your turn."
