Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts are Stamping Out Super Bowl Stereotypes

PHILADELPHIA - A Super Bowl appearance is a big deal for any organization and this year's version is no exception for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The big game is becoming an expectation for the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, the game's best player, and presumptive MVP, however.

In his five years as Kansas City's starter, the Chiefs are 74-19 with Mahomes at the controls, including 10-3 in the postseason against top competition. The team has made at least the AFC Championship Game in each of those seasons and this will be the Chiefs' third Super Bowl in four years.

Using that as a template, the Eagles' two Super Bowls in six years, typically impressive, pales in comparison.

The game might be secondary, though, for Mahomes, 27, and his Philadelphia counterpart Jalen Hurts, 24, who are both young and African-American.

At 24 years, six months, and five days, Hurts, who is making his first SB appearance, will be the seventh-youngest QB to start in a Super Bowl.

Combined, he and Mahomes will be the youngest pair of QBs to square off in the Super Bowl. It will also be the first time two Black QBs will be starters in the Super Bowl, a history that reaches many outside the game.

“I’m just glad me and Jalen can set the stage for the kids coming up now," Mahomes said. “It’ll be a great game. Two great teams and against another great quarterback.”

"I think it’s history," said Hurts on Thursday afternoon during his turn at the podium inside the NovaCare Complex auditorium. "I think it’s something that’s worthy of being noted. It is history. 

"It’s come a long way. I think there’s only been seven African-American quarterbacks to play in the Super Bowl. So to be the first for something is pretty cool, so I know it’ll be a good one."

When the youth angle was brought up, Hurts turned to seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, who retired Wednesday at 45 after a brilliant career that included 10 Super Bowl appearances.

"The oldest guy just left the game," Hurts smiled. "A lot of respect to him. I take time to show my respect to him. Probably won’t be able to get him again because he won’t be playing anymore. A lot of respect to him for what he’s done for the game and what he’s done for the position."

With a win, Hurts could kill a trifecta of stereotypes when you add in the dual-threat nature of his game.

"I think every guy has a unique way of doing what they do," he said. "You’re not going to turn on the TV and see everyone playing the game the same way. So I don’t necessarily take pride in playing the game a certain way.

"I just take pride in being who I am. Everybody does it differently. Everyone has something different that makes them special and great.

"Just trying to go out there and play the game to win."

-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen