Jalen Hurts Goes Full Michael Jordan After Touchdown in Eagles-Cowboys Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 10:33 PM ET

The NFL couldn’t have scripted a more dramatic start to its 2025 season. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles clashed with their bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in a primetime opener that delivered fireworks on and off the field.

Tempers flared early when Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. But the night’s most memorable moment might have belonged to quarterback Jalen Hurts, who honored Michael Jordan, sitting in attendance, by mimicking the NBA legend’s famous “shrug” celebration after his first touchdown run.

As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, Hurts honored the former NBA superstar after scoring his first touchdown of the game. Hurts dropped back to pass, then scrambled and mimicked Jordan's iconic shrug in the end zone.

The Story Behind Jordan’s Iconic Shrug

Jordan's legendary moment occurred during the 1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although he was not known for his three-point shooting, having made only 27% of his attempts that season, he hit six three-pointers in Game 1. After making these shots, he shrugged his shoulders as if to say he couldn't explain what was happening.

During that season, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their second consecutive NBA championship. Hurts hopes this serves as a good omen for leading the Eagles to back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

Jalen Hurts hit the MJ shrug after his first TD tonight #NFL | #NBA pic.twitter.com/rmj4q9TeXD
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) September 5, 2025

Jalen Hurts Chasing Back-to-Back Championships

Eagles had a strong first half, scoring two touchdowns on the ground; the second one was from eight yards out. Hurts entered the season fresh off a Super Bowl MVP performance when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.

In that game, Hurts threw for 221 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards and scored one touchdown. He entered this season with the seventh-best odds to win the MVP, which would be a remarkable achievement, reminiscent of Jordan's accomplishments.

The Eagles carried their momentum through the first half, with Hurts leading two touchdown drives and looking every bit the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Just as Jordan turned improbable shots into championships, Hurts is determined to turn his own swagger into another title run, and for Philadelphia, that quest is already off to a dramatic start.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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