From his humble beginnings in Houston, Texas, to his meteoric rise in the NFL, THE UNDERDOG dives deep into the defining moments, doubts, and triumphs that shaped Hurts into one of the league’s most respected and dynamic leaders.
A Star Who Was Never Supposed to Be
Jalen Hurts’ journey has been anything but conventional. From his early days as a promising high school talent to his rollercoaster college career and eventual ascent to NFL stardom, Hurts has faced a barrage of challenges that would have crushed the average athlete. But as THE UNDERDOG highlights, Hurts is anything but average.
Directed by Emmy and Oscar-winning filmmaker Ezra Edelman (O.J.: Made in America), the documentary promises a raw, intimate portrayal of Hurts’ life, career, and mentality — one shaped by relentless work ethic, unwavering faith, and a deep desire to lead.
“Jalen’s story isn’t just about football,” said Edelman. “It’s about grit, dignity, and proving the world wrong — over and over again.”
From Benched to Beloved
A major focus of the documentary is Hurts’ time at the University of Alabama, where he started as a true freshman and led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national title games — only to be benched at halftime of the 2018 Championship in favor of Tua Tagovailoa. The moment could have shattered a lesser competitor. Instead, it became a catalyst.
Hurts transferred to the University of Oklahoma, reinvented his game, and returned to the Heisman Trophy conversation. Scouts questioned whether he was “NFL-ready.” Critics doubted his arm strength, his accuracy, and his long-term ceiling. The Philadelphia Eagles took a chance, selecting him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Just a few years later, Hurts had silenced all doubters — leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl, earning Pro Bowl honors, and setting franchise records in both passing and rushing categories.
Voices That Matter
THE UNDERDOG features powerful interviews with those who’ve witnessed Hurts’ journey firsthand, including:
- Nick Saban, Alabama head coach
- Lincoln Riley, former Oklahoma head coach
- Nick Sirianni, Eagles head coach
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles wide receiver and former teammate at Alabama
- Jalen’s father, Averion Hurts, who coached him in high schoolmm
Each voice adds texture to a portrait of a man shaped as much by his setbacks as his successes.
“He never pouted, never asked ‘why me,’” Saban says in one emotional interview. “He just worked harder. That’s who Jalen is.”
Off the Field Impact
The documentary also sheds light on Hurts’ influence beyond football. From becoming a vocal advocate for racial justice and mental health, to mentoring young athletes and empowering Black female sports agents by hiring one to represent him, Hurts has proven himself a role model both on and off the field.
A segment of the film focuses on his community work in Philadelphia, Houston, and Oklahoma — where he routinely gives back through scholarships, youth camps, and mentorship programs.
“He’s a leader in every sense of the word,” says Sirianni. “He doesn’t just talk the talk. He walks it.”
Fans Can’t Wait
Within hours of the trailer dropping, #TheUnderdog began trending across social media platforms. Fans and analysts alike praised the documentary’s cinematic tone and Hurts’ powerful narration, which opens the trailer with the words: “They said I wasn’t enough.”