EA Sports announced Wednesday that Allen will be on the cover of Madden NFL 24, becoming the first member of the Bills to appear on the cover.
allen follows John Maddenwho appeared on the cover of Madden 23 following his death in December 2021.
January 22, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, United States; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter of an AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)
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«It’s such a small group of people that have ever touched Madden’s face, so now to be on that list is very surreal. It’s very sobering,» Allen told ESPN. «Thinking about where he was he was not so long ago and coming out of high school with zero offers, going to college and having an offer, University of Wyoming of all places, and then fast forward to now.
«I don’t know if I would have believed you at the time, if you had told me in high school. It’s so surreal. Madden has such a special place in my heart.»
Allen was the third quarterback selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, with mayfield baker and Sam Darnold going ahead of him.
Allen has proven to be a best-of-three quarterback, making the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2022 and passing for more than 4,000 yards in three straight seasons.
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills jumps onto the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
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While the Bills have been one of the best teams over the past four years, Buffalo hasn’t quite made it to the Super Bowl with Allen under center, losing in the 2020 AFC Championship Game.
Allen says being the first member of the Bills to grace the cover of Madden will fire up the fan base as he enters his sixth NFL season.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) makes a play during the second half of an NFL Wild Card playoff football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
«It’s surreal to me,» Allen told ESPN. «But I think western New York and the bill mafia he’s going to be super excited about it. Validate maybe some of the respect they feel they haven’t received in a long time. I think they’re going to be very excited about the cover.
«It’s going to be a very special Madden, I’ll say it.»