# Jalen Hurts shows the price of being unapologetically Black

> Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' health crisis reveals racial bias in NFL.
- Title: Jalen Hurts shows the price of being unapologetically Black
- Summary: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' health crisis reveals racial bias in NFL. Jalen Hurts' blood clot diagnosis highlights systemic racism in NFL despite his performance.
- Keywords: jalen hurts, philadelphia eagles, nfl, blood clot, racial bias, black quarterbacks, eagles quarterback, news, politics, Jalen, Hurts, shows
- Source: Salon — https://salon.com/2026/10/21/jalen-hurts-shows-the-price-of-being-unapologetically-black
- Author: Rann Miller
- Published: 2026-10-21T14:30:45+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: jalen hurts, philadelphia eagles, nfl, blood clot, racial bias, black quarterbacks, eagles quarterback, news, politics
## Jalen Hurts' health crisis
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is out for the season to recover from a deep vein blood clot found after arriving in London for the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
## Racial double standard
A Philadelphia sports columnist claimed if Brock Purdy were the Eagles quarterback, he would be a god in Philadelphia due to his underdog story, but Hurts is Black and Purdy is white.
## Blood clot severity
Hurts' initial diagnosis of a superficial vein clot has progressed to deep vein clots that have traveled to his lungs, requiring him to miss the rest of the season.
## Racism in NFL history
The NFL banned Black players in 1933, allowed them back in 1946, and used racial stacking to believe Black athletes weren't smart enough to play quarterback.
## Philadelphia's racist history
Philadelphia has a history of racism against Black quarterbacks, including Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb, and Michael Vick.
## Hurts' unapologetic identity
Hurts is proud to be Black, makes crawfish, listens to Frankie Beverly and Maze, and doesn't ingratiate himself with the sports media machine.
## Racist criticism
Hurts faces criticism for being unapologetically Black, with media labeling him as 'thug' or 'lazy' despite his lack of tattoos, cornrows, or womanizing.
## Racism as systemic issue
Racistly-coded commentary disguised as asinine takes continues to fuel careers of journalists and athletes whose trajectories mirror playing days.
## Hurts' performance
Hurts played a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London while recovering from a blood clot, a performance that will be praised.
## Systemic racism
Black athletes face systemic racism in the NFL, with Hurts' health crisis revealing the price of being unapologetically Black.
## What happens next
Hurts is expected to fully recover according to his agent Nicole Lynn, and his performance against the Jaguars will be praised.
## Key takeaway

Jalen Hurts' blood clot diagnosis highlights systemic racism in NFL despite his performance.