The NFL no longer has two Pro-Bowlers named Josh Allen.
Bills QB Josh Allen is staying put as Josh Allen, but Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen is now Josh Hines-Allen, as of Tuesday. The former No. 7 pick announced the change, effective immediately, and will wear Hines-Allen on the back of his jersey this season.
The change comes not long after Hines-Allen signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension to stay in Jacksonville. Hines-Allen shattered his career-high with 17.5 sacks in 2023. Now, he's set to anchor the Jaguars' defense again with a new, longer name on the back of his jersey.
Here's a look at why Allen decided to change his last name ahead of the 2024 season.
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Why did Joshua Hines-Allen change his name?
Allen changed his last name to honor his mother's side of the family.
"I've always been a Hines, and legacy is forever," Allen said, explaining that he is "following in the footsteps of my family, who have donned the Hines-Allen last name with so much pride and joy."
Hines-Allen explained that he comes from a "rich history" of athletic family members, most of whom have worn the Hines name in some form, and he wants to emulate his family members.
Hines-Allen described how special it is to see his new nameplate with his mother's maiden name. "When I look there, it's like, 'That's my legacy.'"
𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀-𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻
— Joshua Hines-Allen (@JoshHinesAllen) 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. pic.twitter.com/8wAaj2hhpS
Hines-Allen said he's still the same person and player but is hoping to be even better now that his name better reflects his roots. That might be tough, only because Hines-Allen exploded for 17.5 sacks last season and already looked like one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, but the Jaguars are certainly excited to see their defensive centerpiece embracing what he's passionate about.
While Hines-Allen didn't indicate that sharing a name with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL was a factor in his decision, it can't hurt for the Jaguars star to build his own brand with a unique name. Buffalo's Josh Allen will always have the name recognition advantage, if only because of the position he plays, but Hines-Allen can now better make a name for himself.
Here's a look at who else from Hines-Allen's family has put on the jersey.
Who is Myisha Hines-Allen?
Josh Hines-Allen's sister, Myisha Hines-Allen, is an active player for the WNBA's Washington Mystics. The name on his jersey will now align with hers, which was one reason why he decided to make the switch.
Myisha Hines-Allen has spent her entire seven-year career with the Mystics, emerging as a starter in 2020 and holding down a sizable role ever since.
While Hines-Allen has turned into a solid role player, she hasn't been able to recapture the momentum she built in 2020, when she went from a sparingly used reserve to the All-WNBA second team. Hines-Allen averaged 17.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in 2020, but she's averaged fewer than 10 points per game over each of the last three seasons in a bit more limited of a role.
Hines-Allen is averaging 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Mystics this season, primarily coming off the bench. She spent her college career at Louisville, getting drafted by the Mystics a year before her brother was drafted by the Jaguars.
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Joshua Hines-Allen family tree
Myisha Hines-Allen isn't the only athlete from the Hines side of the family. Josh's sisters, Kyra Hines-Allen and Latorri Hines-Allen, both played college basketball, with LaTorri playing for both Virginia Tech and Towson.
Two of Hines-Allen's uncles also played basketball, with one a Hampton University Hall of Famer who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1983 and another having played for Montclair State. Both have the Hines surname.
Hines-Allen is one of many athletes from his mother's side of the family, and he's made a bold decision to change course and embrace that legacy as best he can moving forward.