Something was missing from last week’s news conference with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen about his new $330 million contract: questions about his life away from the Bills.
I watched it live online and wasn’t surprised that Allen handled it as well as he handles everything in the media. After he retires, Allen should teach a college course in media relations.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen accepts his award for NFL MVP in New Orleans. Associated Press
It was amusing to hear him use nicknames for some Buffalo sportswriters asking questions.
The highlights in the 30-minute news conference were his personal reflections. He said he lost his train of thought while watching his parents cry when he was giving his speech after being named the most valuable player in the National Football League. The line “be good, do good, go Bills” apparently was an ad-lib.
He also downplayed the idea that he could have asked for more money in his new deal, saying as strange as it sounds an extra $5 million wouldn’t do anything for his life.
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“I live a pretty good life. Got a house, got a car, we’re good,” he said.
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A middle-class Western New Yorker couldn’t have said it any better.
He probably endeared himself even more to Western New Yorkers by saying he prefers to stay a Bill throughout his career.
To hear him tell it, it was love at first bite of a chicken wing at Bar Bill in East Aurora.
The sportswriters attending via video call primarily focused on football-related questions. That was understandable. But it led me to think about what was missing: an entertainment reporter. Someone like me looking for human interest angles.
This was a perfect opportunity to get Allen to open up about several personal issues.
Unlike many sportswriters, an entertainment reporter might have focused on more personal questions about Allen’s life that the public might want to know, the kinds of questions that would be asked for a People magazine-type article with Allen and his future wife, actress and singer Hallie Steinfeld.
Since they started dating, Allen and Steinfeld have tried to be guarded about revealing details of their relationship.
Allen did post a picture of the moment he asked her to marry him at a beautiful, romantic spot.
If Allen didn’t want to answer the personal questions during the news conference, I’m sure he could have deflected them with that winning smile of his. He did that after a sportswriter asked if the new deal would mean he’d get Hallie a bigger ring. A smiling Allen said she’s happy with the ring she’s got.
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Here are just some of the questions an entertainment reporter might have asked – to the groans of the sportswriters attending. (I admit there wouldn’t have been enough time to ask them all.)
There is video of you and a group of friends online attending one of the golf events in the new Tiger Woods-Rory McIlroy league that supposedly was part of your bachelor party. Was that part of your bachelor party? Where was the rest of it?
How did you and Hallie first get together? Did anyone set you up?
When is the wedding going to be and where?
Who is the best man?
Is the list of current and former teammates who are going to attend harder to cut down than it will be for Bills general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott to cut down next year’s roster?
I assume with that $330 million contract you can afford a big wedding? Is every teammate going to be invited?
Not to bring up a sore subject, but is Stefon Diggs getting an invite?
Have you hired the Killers to sing “Mr. Brightside” at the wedding? That would kill. And they could use the publicity.
Will Hallie live in Western New York during the Bills season?
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How is she going to be able to navigate her career?
How did the new deal with Skydance Sports “to develop a slate of scripted, unscripted and branded content” with the company come about?
One very serious question: Are you going to wait until your career is over to totally focus on that deal? If not, are you concerned that you might be criticized for not having your full attention this upcoming season on football?
Have you asked safety Damar Hamlin about using that deal to produce a movie about his life? It would seem to be a natural fit.
Who would play Josh Allen in a movie about your life? Chris Pratt?
Have you sold the rights to your wedding photos to People magazine? If so, I can’t wait to read the eventual article accompanying the photos to get many of the answers.
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