Jalen Hurts will make some overdue NFL history when he faces off with Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, and the Philadelphia Eagles star made it clear how proud he is of the opportunity to represent a wide range of people in the first Super Bowl matchup of black quarterbacks.
Hurts will look to lead the Eagles to victory over Mahomes' Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII in a mouthwatering clash between two number one seeds at State Farm Stadium.
Mahomes and Hurts are the top two candidates for MVP and, having gone from second-round pick who many doubted could make the grade at the highest level to one of the faces of the league, the former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback is determined to make those who identify with him a part of his journey proud as it reaches a zenith few would have seen coming this early in his career.
"It’s a ton of pride in everything that’s going on right now," Hurts said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"I think when you're thrust into these situations, you're thrust into these opportunities, you don't really realise the impact your doing until you reflect on it.
"I think, to have these opportunities and be able to represent so many different people, people back home in Texas, quarterbacks that maybe they said they couldn't do something or whatever it is, just believers, it’s something I definitely have in my heart when I'm out there playing.
"I never forget where I come from and most importantly I know there are kids out there watching, always kids that are watching, kids back in Texas, Philly, Florida, Cali, here in AZ, wherever it is, there's always a kid out there watching.
"I heard someone say, I don't know if it was Michael Jordan or Kobe [Bryant], but sometimes you get families and kids that save up all their money just to go to that one game, they may not ever get to see you play in person again, so definitely want to put on a show for them when they come."
Hurts' comments came on the heels of effusive praise from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who unsurprisingly faced several questions about a league first that is over five decades in the making.
Asked why it has taken so long for a Super Bowl with two black quarterbacks, Goodell said during his annual Super Bowl press conference: "You know, there are probably a variety of reasons. Probably none of them good. Because the reality is, there's such great talent at that position, black and white.
"I think we have 11 black starting quarterbacks today. They're some of the best leaders I've ever seen. They're extraordinary. People talk about their talent and their ability to run but they are incredible leaders. They understand the offence they run complex offenses, probably more complex than we've ever run in the past.
"And they really add such an element to the game and I think our game has changed because of their talents. And I think that game has changed on the college level also to develop their talents earlier and that's true for all quarterbacks.
"But I just think it's another example of where diversity makes you better. Think about this league without those 11 great young quarterbacks. Think about the two in the Super Bowl. They make the league better. And that's what we're so proud of."