Jalen Hurts Playfully Trolls ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt Following Eagles’ Win Over Commanders
Jalen Hurts brought his signature charm and playful competitiveness to the spotlight following the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday night. After dominating on the field, Hurts took a moment to engage in some lighthearted banter with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt during a postgame SportsCenter interview.
Jalen Hurts trolled @notthefakeSVP after the Eagles win over the Commanders 😂 pic.twitter.com/PXqnhJlzyj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 15, 2024
The Eagles’ win, streamed on Amazon’s Prime Video, set the stage for the exchange between Jalen Hurts and Van Pelt, a Bethesda, Md., native and lifelong Washington fan. Hurts opened the interview with a jab: “Hey, Scott. How are you feeling? You’re a DMV guy, huh?”
Van Pelt, amused but ready to defend his fandom, replied, “I mean, is this what we’re going to do? The man comes out, puts on sunglasses, and heckling me on my show.”
The veteran anchor acknowledged the state of his beloved Washington team, adding, “No joke, everyone knows what you are. They’re trying to build down here, but, you know, we look forward to seeing you in our neighborhood in a while. I know there will be a lot of Philly fans in the building.”
With a smile, Jalen Hurts ended the playful exchange with, “I like D.C.,” before wrapping up the interview.
Van Pelt, who grew up rooting for Washington, has been vocal about his frustrations with the team, particularly during the tumultuous 21-year tenure of former owner Dan Snyder. Under Snyder’s ownership, Washington managed just two playoff wins, went through nine head coaches, and saw the franchise’s reputation plummet. In 2019, Van Pelt’s scathing, four-minute rant about Snyder and former president Bruce Allen went viral, cementing his place as one of the team’s most outspoken critics.
Jalen Hurts Trolled Scott Van Pelt on 'SportsCenter' After Eagles Beat Commanders
Despite his frustrations, Van Pelt briefly rekindled his hope when Ron Rivera was hired as head coach in 2019. However, Rivera’s tenure ended in disappointment with a 26-40 record, leading to his firing after four seasons. Reflecting on his enduring loyalty to Washington, Van Pelt told the Washington Post in 2020, “If I’m Charlie Brown getting ready to run up and kick the football, and I’m flat on my back flying through the air getting ready to land on my back after they hoodwink me again, then so be it.”
The lighthearted banter between Jalen Hurts and Van Pelt not only showcased the quarterback’s charisma but also highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the Eagles and their NFC East rival. While Washington continues to rebuild, Hurts and the Eagles have solidified their place as one of the league’s most dominant teams.
