The newest defensive weapon for the Jacksonville Jaguars says he had a clear thought when he saw a 904 area code on the call he got on draft night.
“I’m about to be a Jacksonville Jaguar. I’m about to be a part of an organization that loves what I do,” Josh Allen says.
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The first round draft pick from the University of Kentucky had his formal introduction to Jacksonville today, and just like on draft night, his one-year-old son Wesley was right with him. Allen says that’s no accident.
“Ever since he was born, he’s forced me to be a better person, and I believe that forced me to be a better football player. He’s the reason why I play so hard, and he’s the reason I go to work every day,” Allen says.
During his intro press conference, Jags' first round draft pick Josh Allen's son stole the start of the show. Head Coach Doug Marrone tried to help distract with a helmet, but now Wesley has been handed off to mom @WOKVNews @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/lB5nzzLPfU
— Stephanie Brown (@SBrownReports) April 26, 2019
But when Wesley insisted on more time at the mic and got a little fussy- even when Jags Head Coach Doug Marrone tried to help distract him with a helmet- he ultimately got handed off to his mom, so dad could have some spotlight.
“Why are you always talking when I talk? That’s messed up,” Allen joked to his son.
It’s been a busy stretch for Allen, who also got married just last week. He says his wife Kaitlyn helped him find his way in life, and shares his vision for who he wants to be and what he wants to do. That vision includes now working on proving himself to the Jags.
.@JoshAllen41_ is heading home to #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/r2HperVcPK
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 26, 2019
“I’d rather go to a team that needs me, than the teams that just think I’m the best player. I feel like I can fit in this scheme, I feel like I can contribute a lot with my talents, I feel like they can use my talents, and they listened. They know what I do best, and they want to utilize that. A lot of teams want me as a one-trick pony, and I feel like I would still strive for greatness, but it would be hard, because it’s not what I do, in a way. I feel like here in Jacksonville, they let me do what I want to do, and they want to utilize my talents,” he says.
Allen thanked the Jags for taking a chance on him. General Manager Dave Caldwell says there was no such thing.
“I prefer the term educated decision, instead of chance,” Caldwell says.
Allen has been an outside linebacker, but the Jags have also labeled him a defensive end. He called the Jags defense “crazy”, with a mix of young and veteran talent and a lot of “swag”. He’s ready to not only join that group, but push them to be even better.
Wesley stole the show.@JoshAllen41_ | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/T4ioeC9zgA
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 26, 2019
“We’re gunna have a fun group and, hopefully, bring Sacksonville 2.0 here,” he says.
And about his new home town, Allen says he didn’t know much before- except a TaxSlayer Gator Bowl while on the Kentucky squad.
“I don’t know a lot, but I know enough to know that it’s gunna be my home for the next couple of years, and hopefully the rest of my career,” he says.
Cox Media Group