As the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jalen Hurts played his way to a five-year, $255 million contract with the team. That set him far apart from the students at Edward Gideon Elementary School in Philadelphia.

But Hurts was with those students on Friday, when the School District of Philadelphia announced the former Alabama standout had donated $200,000 that would be used to purchase 300 air-conditioning units for 10 schools, including Gideon.

“I know there’s been the issue of AC, the heat here,” Hurts said during an assembly at Gideon. “And I tell you honestly I was sitting there and I saw it on the news. And I think back to my time as a student, not being able to imagine some of the things that you guys have to go through, some of the issues that you guys deal with. I think, for me, I’ve understood that, obviously, what’s common isn’t so common. What’s common for me isn’t so common for everyone else.

“I just want to serve you guys and help in any way I can. Give you guys an opportunity to chase your dreams, too, because I know for me to be where I am and for me to be the person I am for this city, I didn’t get here by myself. It could be that a kid, the next version of myself or something better or the next doctor or whatever it is, whatever your dreams is, whatever your goals is, that could be you, too, just with a little uplift, with a little help, with a little guidance.”

According to the school district’s five-year strategic plan released last year, more than 100 of its schools need air-conditioning installations or upgrades. The 10 schools that will be helped by Hurts’ donation are among those that have had early dismissals to deal with excessive heat in classrooms.

“When I come to this school and I come visit you guys at Gideon, I see so much potential, so much opportunity,” Hurts said. “I see so many beautiful spirits in these young kids here, and I see kids with big dreams. Everybody has a dream, and they deserve to reach those dreams with the proper resources and all that. And I think the No. 1 thing that every kid in this room has to know is: If given the opportunity, if given a push forward, someone to help you, someone to uplift you to taste those dreams you have, anything is possible with hard work, with help and with the right mindset.”

Hurts came to Philadelphia as a second-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Eagles started their offseason program on Monday for Hurts’ fourth season as the team’s starting quarterback.

“We are incredibly grateful to Jalen Hurts for his generosity and commitment to our schools, our students and our employees,” said Tony B. Watlington Sr., the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, in a press release. “This contribution not only enhances the physical infrastructure of our schools, but also demonstrates a meaningful investment in our students’ well-being and academic success. As temperatures continue to rise in Philadelphia, we know that air conditioning can significantly influence the learning experience.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.