Josh Allen, the former University of Wyoming quarterback and current NFL star, had his jersey retired during a ceremony held at War Memorial Stadium. The dramatic deployment took place at halftime of the University of Wyoming home football game against Nevada. It was a watershed moment for both Allen and the fledgling university.
With this honor, Allen became only the third athlete in Wyoming’s history to have his jersey retired, following former men’s basketball players Fennis Dembo and Kenny Sailors. Fans and former teammates cheered as Allen’s jersey number and name were revealed on the stadium’s middle deck. That moment resonated with great respect and awe across the audience.
Joined by his parents, Joel and Lavonne, Allen seemed to understand the gravity of the moment. He expressed gratitude towards the attendees, stating, “First off, I just want to say thank you for everybody coming out tonight. This is such an amazing honor, a huge blessing.” The emotional mood was heavy as the Allens contemplated their journey since taking off from Wyoming back in 2017.
Craig Bohl, who was Allen’s head coach at the University of Wyoming, made it to the ceremony. And finally his sincere emotional response to all the love and support coming from the Wyoming fans truly moved him. “Well, it’s quite emotional. I cried,” he admitted, underscoring the importance of the occasion, not just for Allen but for the community.
Family and coaches came out to cheer Allen on. Many of his previous teammates joined him on the field to salute this important mark. The night before the ceremony, Allen spoke to the current Wyoming football team. He imparted important lessons and personal experiences gleaned from his long career to help educate them.
Allen’s wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, was there to cheer him on during this life-changing moment. Leading up to the game, Allen had a blast entertaining Ambassadors. In doing all this, he welcomed the grassroots community that had fought for him every step of the way.
Looking back on his time at Wyoming, Allen was quick to acknowledge all of the folks who helped him get to this point. “There’s so many people that I can thank for this achievement. A lot of teammates here. Love you guys,” he said.
This celebration will be Allen’s first time back in Laramie since his Pro Day in 2018. It is an extremely personal affair, replete with reminiscences and love for his home town.
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