No matter how it got there, Jalen Hurts’ butt has reached the end zone for a record-breaking 15 rushing touchdowns this season. But contrary to what some may theorize, the man who got his over for the previous NFL record ain’t mad about it.
That man is Carolina Panthers great Cam Newton, who set the now-broken mark during his rookie campaign. En route to capturing the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2011, Newton notched 14 rushing touchdowns—the most, at that time, for a quarterback in a single season.
Hurts surpassed Newton on Monday, crossing the goal line for No. 15 in a 33-25 win over the New York Giants. And although a good number of Hurts’ scores have come via the controversial “Tush Push,” Newton had an encouraging message for Philly’s star: “Shatter that m*tha f*cka!”
“I didn’t play the game for that,” he said on Wednesday’s episode of 4th & 1 with Cam Newton. “My impact was felt. So, as we kinda take this whole ride of understanding and bringing people back into the world, Jalen Hurts—bro, you’re doin’ an unbelievable job.”
Hurts may have fallen out of favor in the Most Valuable Player conversation—but, as Newton stated, he’s still doing an unbelievable job. And even if his tush has gotten more of a push than Newton’s did, records are still meant to be broken.