The Jacksonville Jaguars’ best defensive player is changing his last name.
The team announced Tuesday that two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Josh Allen will change his last name to Hines-Allen to “honor Joshua’s maternal family and other family members who have worn a ‘Hines’ or ‘Hines-Allen’ uniform.”
Hines Allen’s sister, Myisha Hines Allen, plays for the Washington Mystics in the WNBA. Sisters Kira Hines Allen (Cheney 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. Another uncle, Keith Hines, played basketball at Montclair State University.
“Traditions last forever and I am proud to follow in the footsteps of my family who have all proudly and joyfully carried the Hines-Allen name and carry that tradition on the back of my uniform,” Hines-Allen wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
“My last name has changed, but I’m still that person, and I want to keep it and continue to play even better,” he said in a video accompanying the post.
The Jaguars announced that Hines Allen will host a jersey swap for fans in September.
Hines-Allen, who recorded a career-high and Jaguars franchise record 17.5 sacks last season, was rewarded by the Jaguars with a five-year contract extension in April.
