Friday Forward - Hurts First (#471)

Pain has a purpose. With the right mindset, struggle builds resilience

Two years ago, Jalen Hurts’ incredible Super Bowl performance was spoiled when the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on a last-minute field goal. Hurts had done everything in his power to win, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Hurts was devastated, but he seemed determined to use the loss as fuel, rather than wallowing in disappointment. He was quoted saying, “You have to look yourself in the mirror and learn from everything.” And what he told himself in that moment was simple: “I’ll be back.”

Hurts set the lock screen on his phone to display a photo of him walking off the field after the Super Bowl loss, as a sea of red and yellow confetti—the Chiefs’ colors—rained on him. Every time Hurts picked up his phone, he saw that image of loss. He embraced the pain, used it as motivation, and put in the work to improve.

Last Sunday, in a highly anticipated rematch, Hurts and the Eagles dominated the Chiefs to become Super Bowl champions. Hurts was named MVP after yet another brilliant performance.

Of course, no one who knows Hurts’ story should be surprised by this. He has encountered many setbacks throughout his career and yet seems to always bounce back stronger each time.

When Hurts was a college quarterback at the University of Alabama, he was famously benched during the National Championship game and watched as his replacement, Tua Tagovailoa, led Alabama to a shocking comeback victory. Notably, Hurts still cheered his teammates on and celebrated the team’s victory, even though the game was a personal lowlight.

Hurts lost his starting job to Tagovailoa the following season; after a season on the bench, he transferred to Oklahoma, where he led his new team to the College Football Playoff. Still, that season ultimately ended in disappointment—Hurts’ team lost in the postseason and he finished second in voting for the Heisman trophy, which is bestowed to the best college football player each year.

Despite his talent, leadership ability and resilience, Hurts was drafted behind four other quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft. Even after an objectively excellent college career, many teams still doubted whether he could become a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

Hurts shows no bitterness or resentment over all the slights he’s endured. Instead, he is consistently said to have exceptional character, a relentless work ethic, and a team-first mentality. Rather than dwelling on setbacks, he has always focused on one thing: getting better.

Finally, on Sunday, Hurts’ grit and effort paid off: he is the first quarterback from that 2020 draft class to win a Super Bowl, including his former Alabama teammate, Tagovailoa.

Not everything goes our way in life. Some people withstand challenges, learn from them, make adjustments, and focus on what they can control. Others make excuses, embrace victimhood, or believe they are entitled to things breaking their way. The latter often find themselves frustrated, blaming the world for their shortcomings and insisting the deck is stacked against them.

There’s a broader theme with this concept I’ve observed over time. Those who face adversity early in life—whether through personal struggles or difficult environmental circumstances—often build resilience that leads to long-term success. Meanwhile, those who had an easier path early on may find themselves ill-equipped to handle setbacks later.

Prom kings and valedictorians may receive early praise, but if they haven’t built the muscle of perseverance, they can struggle when life stops handing them gold stars. In contrast, those who have faced failure and learned to push through—like Jalen Hurts—are often the ones who rise highest over time.

Our ancestors didn’t expect life to be easy; much of their day was focused on survival and basic needs such as food, shelter and water. Today, an abundance of comfort has inflated our expectations and, in some cases, eroded our sense of purpose. Pain has a purpose. Hardship forces growth.

Unfortunately, too many parents today are getting this backwards, constantly shielding their kids from struggle. In the process, they unintentionally rob kids of the resilience they will need to navigate life’s inevitable challenges.

Resilience isn’t inherited, it’s earned through struggle. And it often pays off in the end.

Quote of The Week

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” - Ernest Hemingway

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