Oklahoma fans may not like to hear it, but it's the truth: Jalen Hurts is, and always has been, ours. I don't care that he transferred to Oklahoma ahead of his senior season. He's Alabama through and through.
That transfer doesn't take away the three years of memories. It doesn't take away his freshman brilliance in 2016, his 26-2 record as the starting quarterback, or his Hollywood-quality heroics off the bench in the 2018 SEC Championship Game.
It also doesn't change the bond he had with Nick Saban. Perhaps no player has embodied Saban's mentality more than Hurts, who used his benching at Alabama to drive him to where he is today. Hurts earned the validation he deserved two years ago when he won the Super Bowl and was named MVP of the game.
He and Saban have always had a special relationship. Ahead of the premiere of the "Saban" documentary on Thursday night at the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa, Hurts had a classy gesture for his head coach that would have never made headlines had Miss Terry not talked about it after the premiere.
She shared that Hurts sent a bouquet of flowers to their home in Tuscaloosa with a heartfelt note attached to it.
Jalen Hurts shared a special message to Nick Saban ahead of documentary premiere
Miss Terry read the note to the audience on Thursday night:
"Coach Saban, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your story. From your phone call in Philly to my father's office in 2015, I knew I was starting a journey that would be unprecedented by following your leadership. I'm honored to share a small moment with you and Miss Terry. Congratulations on your premiere. Sending my love, Jalen Hurts."
How can you not love Jalen Hurts, man?
He's a special human being.
The way he handled being benched by Alabama for Tua Tagovailoa and how he responded afterward should be taught in classrooms for the next 100 years. His response to adversity and his perseverance are special qualities that not many have.
It's not often that Alabama fans got to see an emotional Saban during his 17 years in Tuscaloosa. When Hurts came off the bench for an injured Tagovailoa in Atlanta against Georgia in the 2018 SEC Championship, in the same building where he was benched 11 months prior, and led the Crimson Tide to a come-from-behind win, Saban couldn't help but get emotional talking about how proud he was of Hurts.
Oklahoma fans might not like it. Neutral fans might vehemently disagree, too. Let them. Hurts is an Alabama legend, and that didn't change because he left for one season in Norman.
He's forever part of the Saban - and Alabama - story.
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