Jalen Hurts Flashback: A Moment to Remember in 2015
In the summer of 2015, before he became the NFL star and Super Bowl MVP we know today, Jalen Hurts was just a shy teenager with dreams bigger than most could fathom. But one special encounter in the unassuming setting of Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport marked a small yet significant moment in Hurts’ journey to greatness—a memory that would stay with Michael Key, a resident of Tampa, Florida, who at the time was living in Trussville, Alabama.
The Moment at Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport
It was June 12, 2015, and Michael Key had just wrapped up a day of running errands when he happened to be at the airport, waiting for his flight home. Little did he know, this particular trip would introduce him to someone who would go on to change the landscape of college football and, eventually, the NFL.
Michael was standing in the airport when his gaze shifted to a young, unassuming teenager sitting by himself, looking quietly nervous. The teenager was holding a phone, maybe texting his family or finalizing details for his trip. Michael couldn’t help but notice the subtle aura of humility about him—a sense of quiet determination wrapped in an almost innocent demeanor. There was something about this teenager that stood out, even though he wasn’t drawing attention to himself.
Michael, a football fan with an eye for talent, recognized him immediately—Jalen Hurts. The 17-year-old was about to board a flight back to Houston after committing to the University of Alabama. Hurts was still just a rising star—an unknown entity to many outside of Texas high school football but one of the most coveted recruits in the country.
A Shy Teenager and a Big Decision
At the time, Hurts was fresh off his decision to commit to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, an unprecedented choice for a young quarterback with so much potential. The moment was a pivotal one in Hurts’ career, but as Michael Key observed, the teenager appeared far from the confident leader he would become in the coming years. Instead, Hurts seemed like any other high school athlete—shy, humble, and reflective.
It’s easy to forget now, but back in 2015, Hurts was still a high school senior preparing for the next step in his athletic career, and that next step would forever alter the course of his life. Alabama was already a powerhouse in college football, and Hurts was set to become part of the dynasty that would go on to win multiple national titles. But on that day in the airport, Hurts seemed just like a teenager—full of promise yet unsure of what was ahead.
The world hadn’t yet seen Hurts throw a pass in a college game, let alone lead a team to national championships or break records. The weight of his decision was likely still settling in, and Michael saw the teenager processing everything in front of him. Hurts wasn’t the brash or outwardly confident star we know today—he was simply a young man who had made a huge commitment to Alabama, ready to embark on a journey that would eventually change everything.
The Brief Encounter
Michael couldn’t help but strike up a conversation with Jalen Hurts. The young quarterback, who was known to be quiet and reserved, was polite but clearly somewhat shy, especially in this public setting. The two spoke for only a few minutes, but Michael remembers the encounter vividly. He recalls Hurts’ humility, how grounded he seemed despite the immense expectations that were placed upon him.
In hindsight, Michael reflects on how Hurts wasn’t the flashy quarterback he would become. He wasn’t boasting about his commitment or his future at Alabama. Instead, he was simply a kid who had made a life-changing decision and was heading home after sealing his future with a program that would change his life. Hurts’ quiet confidence spoke volumes, as it would in the years to come on the football field.
“I could tell even then that he was special,” Michael said in a recent interview. “He wasn’t like the other high school players who might’ve been more vocal about their decision. Jalen was more reserved, almost humble in a way. But even then, you could see the determination in his eyes. He knew what he was about to take on. He wasn’t going to shy away from it.”
A Star on the Rise
What Michael didn’t know at the time was that the shy teenager sitting across from him at the airport would soon go on to become one of the most iconic quarterbacks in college football history. Hurts arrived at Alabama as a freshman in 2016 and quickly established himself as the starting quarterback. In his first season, he led the Crimson Tide to a national championship appearance, earning the SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and finishing as a finalist for the prestigious Davey O’Brien Award.
But it wasn’t just his athletic ability that set him apart—it was his demeanor. Even as the weight of national expectations loomed large, Hurts remained grounded. His poise and leadership shone, particularly during the toughest moments.
His career at Alabama was nothing short of spectacular. Despite being replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 national championship game, Hurts’ resilience stood out. Instead of sulking or being bitter, he supported his team and remained a key leader, ultimately transferring to Oklahoma and winning the Heisman Trophy in his lone season with the Sooners.
Now, Hurts is a young quarterback on the rise in the NFL, a key part of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ success, including leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance. His story is one of perseverance, resilience, and the quiet confidence that began in a small moment at an airport in Alabama.
Michael Key’s Reflection
For Michael, that fleeting moment in the airport—where he briefly shared a few words with Jalen Hurts—has become a memory he treasures deeply. He reflects on how the young quarterback, though seemingly uncertain in that moment, had all the tools to become one of the greatest athletes of his generation.
Looking back, Michael realizes how fortunate he was to witness the early days of someone destined for greatness. “I knew I was talking to someone special, but I had no idea just how much of an impact he’d have on the game of football and on people’s lives,” Michael says with a smile. “That moment, small as it was, was a reminder that even the brightest stars start from humble beginnings. Jalen Hurts, in that quiet, shy moment, was already on the path to becoming the incredible athlete and leader he is today.”
A Shy Teenager Becomes a Star
Today, Jalen Hurts is a household name in the football world, known for his incredible athleticism, leadership, and remarkable journey to the top. But back in 2015, he was just a teenager about to embark on a monumental chapter of his life. The encounter with Michael Key in Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport serves as a reminder that even the brightest stars often start out in the most unassuming of ways.
From that shy, humble young man to an NFL star and Super Bowl contender, Hurts’ journey has been nothing short of inspirational. His legacy, built on resilience and an unshakable belief in himself, continues to grow—and it all began with moments like this one, where a stranger saw a glimpse of greatness in a teenager who was only beginning to realize his own potential.