Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen could be on a path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his NFL career, but already has one historic honor from a previous team.
The Bills quarterback’s path to the NFL started at Firebaugh High School in his native Firebaugh, California. Allen put the school on the map when he was spotted wearing a Firebaugh hoodie to a Bills game in 2021, making it a popular item among Bills fans.
The team is now repaying the favor, ensuring that his name remains forever tied to the school.
Josh Allen’s High School Pays Tribute to Him
As SI.com’s Alex Brasky reported, the school announced this week that it was honoring Allen by naming their field after him.
“Allen’s mother and father, Lavonne and Joel Allen, were on site as the Firebaugh, Calif., native was presented as the new namesake of his hometown’s high school football field,” Brasky wrote. “Firebaugh High School’s gridiron will now be known as ‘Josh Allen Field’ in honor of the institution’s most famous alumnus.”
Allen had a strong career at Firebaugh, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in his senior season, adding 400 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
The Bills quarterback wasn’t able to travel back to California for the ceremony, but sent a video and had his mother deliver a message.
“He wishes in the worst way that he could be here, but he’s in his season right now,” Lavonne told FOX26. “We’re here representing him, and we could not be more honored.”
Allen has already helped raise money for the school. After he wore his Firebaugh hoodie to a 2021 game, there was such a high demand from Bills fans that the school made a special print of the hoodie and raised $90,000 by selling it. Allen added his own donation, bringing the total to $100,000 for his former school.
“The whole community out here is just buzzing with excitement,” Firebaugh High Principal Anthony Catalan told KSEE Sunrise. “There’s so much pride in the hometown, and that really embodies what Josh means to us, and the entire family means to us. … We’re humbled and thankful for all the support that is shown our way. We can’t say enough about the Bills Mafia out there, everybody in the Valley and Firebaugh that has helped support this.”
Josh Allen Earning Another Big Honor
Allen had an unlikely path to the NFL after leaving Firebaugh, starting at Reedley College and emailing every Division I head coach to ask for a chance to play for them. The only school that offered him a scholarship was Wyoming, where Allen went on to star as he grew into a top NFL prospect.
Just before this season started, Allen shared an exciting announcement with fans about his college alma mater.
“What’s up, Cowboys fans. Josh Allen here,” Allen said in a video shared on X. “I’m excited to announce that I will be returning to University of Wyoming Nov. 22 against University of Nevada. Excited to be back in Laramie. Go Pokes.”
The university put out its own statement praising Allen for the work he did to put the program on the map.
“It is very exciting and a wonderful day for the State of Wyoming,” University of Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman said in a statement, via ESPN. “It is going to be a big day in the history of Wyoming Football. Josh is the most high-profile ambassador the University of Wyoming has ever had.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Josh Allen Earns Historic Honor Before Bills-Falcons Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.