The Jacksonville Jaguars’ best defensive player is changing his last name.
The team announced Tuesday that two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Allen is changing his last name to Hines-Allen in honor of “Joshua’s mother’s side of the family and the other family members who have worn ‘Hines’ and ‘Hines-Allen’ on their jerseys.”
Hines-Allen’s sister, Myisha Hines-Allen, plays for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Sisters Kyra Hines-Allen (Cheyney University) and LaTorri Hines-Allen (Virginia Tech, Towson) also played college basketball. Additionally, Josh Hines-Allen’s uncle, Gregory Hines, was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1983 after a Hall of Fame career at Hampton University, while another uncle, Keith Hines, played basketball at Montclair State.
“This legacy is forever and I am proud to continue that tradition on the back of my jersey, following in the footsteps of my family who carry the Hines-Allen name with so much pride and joy,” Hines-Allen posted on Instagram Tuesday.
In a video accompanying the post, he said: “My last name has changed, but I’m still that person. And I’m going to keep playing as I am, playing even better.”
The Jaguars announced that Hines-Allen will host a jersey swap for fans in September.
Hines-Allen, who set a franchise record 17.5 sacks last season, was rewarded by the Jaguars in April with a five-year contract extension.