Adversity is nothing new to Jalen Hurts.
He faced it at the University of Alabama in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where he was benched for Tua Tagovailoa in the second half versus Georgia. Before the moment, he had to hear how much better Tagovailoa was than him throughout the 2017 season. As a true freshman in 2016, external factors doubted his abilities to be a starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide. He proved the critics wrong by setting school records and assisting the Tide to the CFP.
During the 2018 season, Tagovailoa suffered an injury in the Southeastern Conference title game.