There are very few people for which a name change could constitute anything vaguely near a bona fide story for the nation’s biggest sport.
But Jacksonville Jaguars star, Josh Allen, is not just any old person. That, and, the fact that we are smack bang in the middle of the quietest portion of the NFL calendar combines for some story reporting on news that is, perhaps, more borderline than at other parts of the league cycle.
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Allen had struggled to push on beyond a promising debut season in which he accumulated 10.5 sacks and was rewarded with a Pro Bowl nod.
In the 3 ensuing years, the former 7th overall pick failed to generate more than 7.5 sacks across a single season, racking up a total of 17 between 2020-2022.
However, 2023 saw a rejuvenated Josh Allen take his game well beyond the heights of his rookie year, previously his best year to date, attaining a whopping 17.5 sacks – more than the past 3 years combined, 66 tackles and a career best 17 tackles for loss.
In fact, only the Pittsburgh Steelers’ former Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt, eclipsed Allen’s sack total, registering 19 en route to another All-Pro season; a 4th for the future Hall of Fame pass rusher.
After breaking the bank with a 5 year, $150 million deal back in April, Allen has some new, more personal news to garnish the headlines, per the man himself on X.
𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀-𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻
Legacy is forever, and I’m proud to carry that tradition on the back of my jersey, following in the footsteps of my family, who have donned the Hines-Allen last name with so much pride and joy. pic.twitter.com/8wAaj2hhpS
— Joshua Hines-Allen (@JoshHinesAllen) July 9, 2024
Josh Allen Changes His Name To Joshua Hines-Allen In Honor Of His Family
Allen – or indeed, Hines-Allen’s story is very moving, and feels like a very kind move to intertwine his legacy, at least visually, with that of his sister Myisha Hines-Allen, a WNBA forward on the Washington Mystics; and his uncle, Gregory Hines, who was once a 5th round NBA draft pick back in 1983.
The name ‘Hines’ comes from the side of his mother, Kim Hines-Allen, and in wanting to pay tribute to both sides of his family the 2 x Pro Bowler has decided to officially change his name.
So call me a sceptic, but I don’t think this is the full reason behind this change. Josh Allen, elite franchise quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, will likely always be the name thought of as synonymous to the name “Josh Allen”.
Despite his accolades, Hines-Allen was set to (most likely) remain the #2 “Josh Allen” in the NFL, with perhaps some minor damage to his legacy and reputation if the mention of your name aurally evokes the thought of another.
As a result, to change his name to Hines-Allen not only makes sense for a branding point of view in case of advertising and notoriety, especially if he continues on the path he carved out for himself last season, but helps cement his legacy as a footballer beyond his play for years to come.
All in all, smart move, whatever the driving force behind it.
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