Star Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen has legally changed his name to Joshua Hines-Allen as a tribute to the maternal side of his family, William Raymond Communications, his agency, announced Tuesday.
“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,” Hines-Allen said in a statement.
“My last name has been changed, but I’m still that person. And I will continue to play like it, play even better.”
Hines-Allen’s legal name will be reflected on his No. 41 Jaguars jersey beginning this season.
The one and only 🤫#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/ETKc8zwVEX
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) July 9, 2024
He’ll be far from the first Hines-Allen to represent the family name athletically.
Hines-Allen’s sister, Myisha Hines-Allen, plays for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Additionally, sisters Kyra Hines-Allen played basketball at Cheyney University and LaTorri Hines-Allen played basketball at Virginia Tech and Towson.
His uncle, Gregory Hines, is in the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the fifth round of the 1983 NBA draft. Keith Hines, another uncle, 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 of my sister’s games, to know what my uncles did in college and in the NBA, it just means something a little bit more,” Hines-Allen said.
“It was almost destined for me to follow in their footsteps. It’s going to be a surreal moment the first time I get my name announced.”
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
Hines-Allen, the Jaguars’ first-round, No. 7 overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft, signed a five-year contract extension worth $141.3 million with the club this offseason, following his career season in 2023 when he recorded 17.5 sacks.
He now ranks second in Jaguars history for career sacks with 45, 10 behind franchise leader Tony Brackens’ 55.
