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Jaguars OLB Josh Allen's athletic goals span further than a simple Super Bowl ring
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- Jaguars OLB Josh Allen's athletic goals span further than a simple Super Bowl ring
Josh Allen isn't just competitive, he's the quintessential product of meticulous character engineering, sculpted as the epitome of athletic prowess, leadership ability and competitive fire, all rolled into one.
Perhaps that's a bit overstated. Still, Allen has quickly become the soundboard for achieving greatness for the Jacksonville Jaguars within the walls of the Miller Electric Center, the team's primary training facility adjacent to EverBank Field.
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Upon his arrival to the Jaguars' offseason program last week, that aspect of Allen as a football player came out with plenty of intensity. But it isn't necessarily all inward with the Jaguars' top pass rusher. What he gives to and takes from other players on his team to rise to that level of competitiveness might take precedence.
"One of my goals is I'm gonna win Defensive Player of the Year," Allen said on the first day of mandatory minicamp earlier this week.
"For me, I have to be Tier 1. I have to be above Tier 1 because there's already guys that are solidified themselves. Then I'm talking to [Jaguars cornerback] Tyson [Campbell], it's the same way. Taking to [Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd ], what do you want to do? 'I want to win Defensive Player of the Year,' well, you're gonna have to beat me."
Iron sharpens iron: Jaguars DL Josh Allen excited to partner with Arik Armstead, declares himself a 'bad boy'
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) jokes with teammates linebacker Myles Cole (59) and defensive end De'Shaan Dixon (47) during a break between drills. The Jacksonville Jaguars let most of the veterans off from participating in Monday's mandatory minicamp session held in the air conditioned enclosed field at EverBank Stadium's Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. June 10, 2024. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
What Allen is demonstrating is something that can lead to the success of other players. The team as a whole pushes each other, but that's especially true of some of the players on defense who have aspirations similar to one of their core leaders.
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"Defensive players of the year don't do that. They don't slack," he said. "So, that's the accountability we hold in ourselves is to see more guys buy into that bigger aspect, shoot to the top. I didn't play last year to be a Pro Bowler, I'm pissed about that."
Allen recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. His aspirations and goals are far higher, though. He wants to be the Super Bowl MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and all of the legacy and accolades that come with it.
Allen wants to be the best, and he wants others to be the best versions of themselves. That didn't just start when Allen began in the NFL, though, it goes deeper than that to when he was growing up, surrounded by similarly competitive siblings and parents.
Josh Allen 's lofty goals start with his sister, Myisha Hines-Allen
"The other Josh Allen" is one of the best impeding free agents.
Sure, Super Bowl rings, MVP honors and Pro Bowl nods are nice to Allen, but really, his one true goal is simple: to one-up his sister, Myisha Hines-Allen. Hines-Allen plays in the WNBA for the Washington Mystics. She won a championship with the Mystics in 2019 and made the All-WNBA Second Team in 2020.
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For now, she's more accomplished than her younger brother. That has to change, he said.
"My main goal as an athlete is to beat my sister. Like, all the goals, the football achievements are very cool and I love to go home and looking at the trophies and seeing the work that I put in, but that doesn't mean anything until I beat my sister," Allen said.
When Allen speaks about "legacy," he's speaking more about his family's legacy, the Hines-Allen legacy, he explained. He grew up in an incredibly competitive family. So, he says, has to live up to those expectations. Allen's uncle, for instance, Gregory "Duncan" Hines is in the Hampton Athletics Hall of Fame for basketball.
So, it's no wonder that Allen draws some, or maybe all, of his competitive fire from beating his sister — or trying to.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 11: Myisha Hines-Allen #2 of the Washington Mystics brings the ball up the court against the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Mystics 113-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
"She gets drafted. I remember that night, I was like, 'I have to get drafted higher than her.' (I) got drafted higher than her, cool, now I'm up one," said Allen, who was drafted with the seventh-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Hines-Allen was drafted with the 19th overall pick in the second round of the WNBA Draft in 2018.
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"Then she wins a championship. I'm like, 'Oh [shoot], I need to win the championship and the MVP' once we get to the Super Bowl," he said with a smile. "So, for me, that is everything. My uncle's in the Hall of Fame. I want to be there one day as well. But right now, I got to catch my sister."
The rivalry doesn't necessarily go both ways, though, Allen said with a laugh.
"I think I'm the problem, but it fuels me," said Allen. "It's one of those deep desires that I really want to achieve."
Allen could be close to attaining just that. The Jaguars, while reeling from a disappointing end to the 2023 season, believe they have the tools necessary to complete that goal. Signing quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a record-setting deal recently shows that.
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Allen also got a big deal of his own this offseason to the tune of five years and up to $150 million . (He may have his sister just by a bit there.)
Allen is 10 sacks shy of the team's franchise record for sacks (55). So far, Allen's legacy in Jacksonville isn't complete, but the road to attaining all of his goals, including one day being better than his sister, is built.
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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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Josh Allen talks Super Bowl MPV goal, beating his sister
