Jaguars star defender Josh Allen announces he will legally change last name to Hines-Allen

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Josh Allen will be making his name known this year, but not necessarily just in the way you'd think.

Tuesday morning, Allen announced via social media that he will be taking on a new name this year, officially altering his last name to Hines-Allen, following in the footsteps of his family members and a tribute to his maternal side of the family.

The Hines-Allen name is also used by his sisters, most notably Washington Mystics basketball star Myisha Hines-Allen.

Josh Hines-Allen's other sisters, Kyra Hines-Allen and LaTorri Hines-Allen played basketball at Cheyney University and Virginia Tech and Towson, respectively.

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"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," Josh Hines-Allen said via a video posted on social media.

The newest Hines-Allen was raised in part by his uncle Gregory Hines, who was a star basketball player at Hampton University, ultimately being placed in the team's University Athletics Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the fifth round of the 1983 NBA draft.

His other uncle, Keith Hines, played basketball at Montclair State.

The name change will occur immediately with the "Allen" jerseys officially retiring and brand-new "Hines-Allen" jerseys hitting his locker when training camp begins on July 24. In addition to his legacy, the name change will officially divorce Hines-Allen from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Hines-Allen is 2-0 against Allen in his career, defeating the Bills' QB in London last year, and in 2021. Hines-Allen recorded his first career interception in 2019.

Hines-Allen received a massive five-year, $150 million contract extension from the Jaguars this offseason after posing a career-high 17.5 sacks last season. Hines-Allen was drafted by the team in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft and is one of the few players in the team's recent history to receive a contract extension after being drafted by Jacksonville.

This offseason, Hines-Allen has made it a point of emphasis to talk about his legacy, and what he will be known for in history. His aspirations include Super Bowl bids, All-Pro nods and Defensive Player of the Year honors. None of that trumps his goal to simply be better than his sister, Myisha, though.

Hines-Allen will host a September jersey swap event in Jacksonville for fans who own his "Allen 41" jersey. More details for that event will come at a later date, Allen's agency, William-Raymond, said via press release Tuesday.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X,  formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.

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