Jalen Hurts dealt with some backlash over the weekend after he criticized the Alabama coaching staff for the way they have handled the team’s quarterback situation, and his mother wants to help set the record straight.
Hurts, who was benched in favor of Tua Tagovailoa during the national championship game, told the media on Saturday that neither Nick Saban nor other members of Alabama’s coaching staff asked him how he felt about the situation until it was too late. Hurts’ mother, Pamela, later took to Facebook to lash out against those who have bashed her son for speaking his mind.
“Wow ignorance is (bliss),” Pamela Hurts wrote in a post, via Justin Smith of TDAlabamaMag.com. “When has Jalen ever spoken to media about anything other than the team? When has he ever whined, pouted or talk about what ‘y’all’ don’t know takes place behind the scenes? There’s a reason why players aren’t allowed to speak to the media. Jalen spoke his truth, finally, after 3 years of being compliant and controlled. You have no idea what is and has been going on — and most likely, never will.
“Folks quick to speak highly on his character and demeanor, but know he is completely opposite of those accolades today. If you can turn on this young man today and not your president for any of his rhetoric, you were never with him to begin with.”
Given the way Tagovailoa led Alabama to a championship against Georgia, he has been the clear favorite to win the starting job heading into 2018. Despite that, Hurts apparently told Saban that he has no intention of transferring, which is a big change from what the QB’s father said several months ago.
Hurts seems to have an issue with Saban saying earlier in the offseason that he was unsure if the junior will be on the roster to start the season. If Hurts truly never intended to transfer, it does seem like there should have been better communication between him and Alabama’s coaches.
