This year, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts became a Super Bowl champion, a husband, and now an author. On Monday, the NFL star joined the "TODAY Show" to announce that he is releasing his first children’s book, “Better Than a Touchdown.” The book, illustrated by Nneka Myers, is available for preorder and will officially be in stores on March 10, 2026.
Hurts made the announcement from Tice Elementary School, back in his hometown on the east side of Houston, because that’s where it all began for him. He explained it has always been a dream of his to have a children’s book, and that dream has now come true, as he will share the lessons he learned along his journey with the next generation.
The quarterback says he hopes his book “strikes a chord of resilience, and encourages our kids, the reader, whoever, to believe in themselves.”
A dream come true 📚@JalenHurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/kJbYlMnFBv
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 23, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts set to release children’s book “Better Than a Touchdown”
According to PEOPLE, the book will be focused on a boy named Jalen, who dreams of joining his school’s football team. Unfortunately, Jalen learns that the team is cut, and he and his friends must figure out a way to save the program.
The book will be published through Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Vice president and Publisher of Flamingo Books, Margaret Anastas, told PEOPLE, “From the moment I met Jalen, it was clear he would pour his heart and soul into this book — and he has done that and more. Working with him has been an absolute privilege, and I am so excited for Jalen’s youngest fans to read his wonderful, inspiring book.“
Hurts is now the reigning Super Bowl MVP for the best team in the NFL, but his journey to that position had some highs and lows, and he had to persevere through those challenges. He’ll pull from those experiences as he tries to pass on lessons of resiliency.