When the Los Angeles Lakers played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday night, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had the opportunity to do something he’d wanted to do for a long time – see LeBron James play in person and meet the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
“I’d never been able to see LeBron play,” Hurts said during his Wednesday press conference. “Never met him. He’s a great player. He’s so transcendent in terms of the things he’s been able to do on the court, off the court. He’s changed the game in so many different ways, and I just thought it’d be cool to come see him, go see him, and, obviously, I had the opportunity to meet him.”
James saw a clip of Hurts’ remarks on social media and responded. “And it’s all love and respect right back to you, young king!!!” James wrote.
Hurts said meeting James was made more meaningful because his father attended the NBA game with him, and they sat courtside along one of the end lines.
“I wanted him to shake my dad’s hand, too,” Hurts said. “That’s a guy that my dad has watched, being an older guy, watched him grow into the monumental figure he is now. He’s been doing it for 21 years, 22 years, something like that, so it’s just all love and respect for him.”
James led the Lakers with 18 points on Monday night, but the Philadelphia 76ers pinned a 138-94 defeat on Los Angeles.
Hurts had thrown for three touchdowns and run for two touchdowns during the Eagles’ 37-34 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills the day before taking in the NBA game.
The former Alabama signal-caller has led Philadelphia to an NFL-best record of 10-1 as the Eagles prepare to play the San Francisco 49ers at 3:25 p.m. CST Sunday.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
