Jalen Hurts Says He Had to Win After Inviting Michael Jordan to Eagles-Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles began their Super Bowl defense with a 24-20 home win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

Philadelphia wanted to get the 2025 season on the right track early, but this game also had extra meaning for quarterback Jalen Hurts, given the attendance of special guest Michael Jordan. Needless to say, Hurts wanted to get the win for the NBA legend.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP is a Jordan Brand athlete and wore his new Air Jordan PE cleats on Thursday.

He even hit Jordan's patented shoulder shrug from the 1992 NBA Finals following the first of his two rushing touchdowns.

Hurts is friends with Jordan, and he discussed that relationship a bit with D.J. Siddiqi of Esports Insider.

"That's been a growing relationship and growing friendship," Hurts said in July. "And obviously the mentality he's had, what he's meant to competitive sports, speaks for itself. That's something that I'm able to lean on."

He previously spoke about learning from Jordan in May as well.

"As competitive as he is, it would be unwise of me not to seek knowledge from him and lean on someone like that, so it's something that I value a lot," Hurts told reporters.

It's certainly wise for Hurts to seek out Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, five-time NBA MVP, two-time Olympic gold medalist and 14-time All-Star who averaged an NBA-record 30.1 points per game over his career.

Hurts just enjoyed the best professional success of his career, leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl and winning the game's MVP award as well in a 40-22 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs.

It's clear Hurts wants more, though, and he got off to a good start Thursday, completing 19-of-23 passes for 152 yards while rushing for 62 more yards and two touchdowns. He'll look to continue the positive momentum on Sunday, Sept. 14, when the Eagles face the host Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch.