The Aporia
The Aporia
Fonseca, B. (2026, September 20). Drew Brees calls out Jalen Hurts for sliding before first down: ‘Lower your shoulder’. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/20/sports/drew-brees-calls-out-jalen-hurts-for-sliding-before-first-down-lower-your-shoulder/
Fonseca, Bryan. “Drew Brees calls out Jalen Hurts for sliding before first down: ‘Lower your shoulder’.” New York Post, 20 Sept. 2026, https://nypost.com/2026/09/20/sports/drew-brees-calls-out-jalen-hurts-for-sliding-before-first-down-lower-your-shoulder/.
Fonseca, Bryan. “Drew Brees calls out Jalen Hurts for sliding before first down: ‘Lower your shoulder’.” New York Post, September 20, 2026. https://nypost.com/2026/09/20/sports/drew-brees-calls-out-jalen-hurts-for-sliding-before-first-down-lower-your-shoulder/.
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During a Week 2 NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, Drew Brees, an analyst for Fox Sports and former quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, criticized Jalen Hurts for sliding short of gaining a first down rather than lowering his shoulder to fight for it. This occurred on a play where Hurts had a chance to extend the ball further but opted to slide just shy of the marker, resulting in a 4th-and-3 situation instead of 4th-and-1. Brees emphasized that referees mark the spot based on where the player starts sliding, not where they end up, and expressed frustration over Hurts's conservative approach. Despite this critique, Hurts later demonstrated his abilities by making a crucial late-game pass to receiver Darius Cooper, securing a 24-20 victory for the Eagles against the Titans.
