Since 2019, there have been two Josh Allens in the NFL — one for the Buffalo Bills, and one for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, that is no longer the case, as the star Jaguars EDGE is changing his name to Joshua Hines-Allen.
Why Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen Changed His Name to Joshua Hines-Allen
According to an announcement video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) by both Hines-Allen and the Jaguars, the decision is because of one word: legacy.
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 (@JoshAllen41_) July 9, 2024
“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,” said Hines-Allen in the caption of his post.
“It’s not a struggle to finally say that this is what I want to do. This is what we’re going to do. I am deciding to change my last name,” Allen said in the video. “You know, I’ve always been a Hines, and legacy is forever.”
Allen and his twin brother were the only two out of their four siblings who did not share the Hines-Allen surname. His three sisters, Myisha (Washington Mystics), Kyra (Cheyney University), and LaTorri (Virginia Tech and Towson), all played basketball and proudly wore the Hines-Allen name on their jerseys.
Additionally, his uncle, Gregory Hines, is a member of the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the fifth round of the 1983 NBA Draft. Another uncle, Keith Hines, also played basketball at Montclair State.
“Family is important to me because when you come from a rich history of athletic people in your family — and myself being the youngest one — to go to all my sister’s games, to know what my uncles did in college and in the NBA, it just means something a little bit more,” said Hines-Allen. “It was almost destined for me to follow their footsteps.”
The one and only 🤫#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/ETKc8zwVEX
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) July 9, 2024
“My last name is changed, but I am still that person and I’m going to continue to play like it, play even better,” Hines-Allen later said. “Now it’s like, I have the attention of people that are interested. They saw what I did last year, so now I can create my narrative on what I want to do now, and that’s why I think right now is the perfect time.”
The Jaguars and Hines-Allen will host a jersey exchange in Jacksonville in September for any fans who own his “Allen 41” jersey. The team announced details for the free event would be available soon.
Revisiting Joshua Hines-Allen’s Career Journey
Born in Cumberland County, Va., Hines-Allen started his legacy at the University of Kentucky from 2015-18. In his college career, he notched 219 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 31.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, and one interception.
This includes a senior season in 2018, where Hines-Allen recorded 21.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He earned first-team All-SEC honors, unanimous All-American honors, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Bronko Nagurski, Jack Lambert, and Lott Trophies, and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
MORE: The Best Nicknames in NFL History, From “Slash” To “Sweetness”
Following his college career, the Jaguars took Hines-Allen No. 7 in the 2019 NFL Draft. He notched his first of two Pro Bowls as a rookie, also earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. He also made the Pro Bowl for the 2023 season.
Seems like a perfect time to bring back this moment of TV gold from @ScottHanson on NFL Redzone! 📺
Josh (no middle-name) Allen sacks Josh Allen! 😂 pic.twitter.com/miK6hQnXWr
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) April 10, 2024
In his NFL career, Hines-Allen has totaled 251 tackles, 45 sacks, nine forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one touchdown. He most recently totaled 66 tackles, 17.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception in 2023.
After being franchise-tagged earlier this offseason, Hines-Allen signed a five-year, $150 million contract worth $141.25 million. The deal included $88 million guaranteed and a $32 million signing bonus.