Even current, former Auburn players couldn’t help but be happy for Jalen Hurts

Auburn players, both current and former, had to be torn about the SEC Championship matchup.

But they couldn’t hide their appreciation, and even rooting interest, for Alabama QB Jalen Hurts, who came off the bench to rescue the Crimson Tide and lead them to a win over Georgia in the title game in Atlanta.

Several standouts from Alabama’s arch-rival couldn’t hold back their enthusiasm.

Most of these comments speak to the difference between a team and an individual, as almost all of them qualified their tweets by saying that they hated Auburn, but were rooting for Hurts. They probably understand, or can at least relate to, the whipsaw nature of Hurts’ career trajectory, and how the fan base reacted to him going from starter to backup.

Man I hate that team. But I can’t lie and say I’m not rooting for Jalen Hurts. God works in mysterious ways!

— carl lawson (@carllawson55) December 2, 2018

In a game where I don’t like either team… I’m rooting for Jalen Hurts #WarEagle

— Dontavius Russell (@russ_dont95) December 2, 2018

As much as a i dislike Alabama can’t help but be happy for Jalen hurts

— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) December 2, 2018

This #SECCHAMPIONSHIP game demonstrates a great lesson by Jalen Hurts. He is a CLASSY young man with a GLADIATOR mentality. Awesome to see a guy put TEAM before ME. Unfortunately these days…. it’s RARE! Great role model and individual. Good for him! Congrats to him/Alabama. WOW

— Gene Chizik (@CoachGeneChizik) December 2, 2018

Now the whole Bama nation has to trust Hurts, the same guy they called every name but a child of God

— Sen'Derrick Marks (@senmarks) December 2, 2018

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.