NFL star announces name change ahead of 2024 season

Jacksonville Jaguars star linebacker Josh Allen has changed his name, he announced Tuesday.

The two-time Pro Bowler will now be known as Josh Hines-Allen, a name change that reflects “a tribute to Joshua’s maternal side of the family,” according to the Jaguars’ website. His No. 41 Jaguars jersey will don the Hines-Allen name beginning this 2024 NFL season.

“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. “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, who turns 27 on July 13, has numerous relatives who are athletes that went by Hines or Hines-Allen. His sister, Myisha Hines-Allen, plays for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics; another sister, LaTorri Hines-Allen played Division I basketball at Virginia Tech and Towson; and sister Kyra Hines-Allen played basketball at Cheyney University. Uncle Gregory Hines was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 1983 NBA Draft and uncle Keith Hines played basketball at Montclair State.

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Before his name change, Allen was often confused for Buffalo Bills star quarterback Josh Allen. In fact, Hines-Allen recorded a sack against Allen during a game Week 9 of the 2021 NFL season.

As part of his name change, Hines-Allen will host a jersey exchange in Jacksonville in September for Jaguars fans who own his previous “Allen 41″ jersey. More details of the free event will be made available soon, according to the Jaguars.

Allen-Hines, a five-year NFL veteran, tied-for-second in the league with 17.5 sacks last season for the Jaguars. He has 45 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 251 tackles in his five NFL seasons – all with Jacksonville, which drafted him out of Kentucky in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft.