Josh Allen: Philanthropy

12/31/2022

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is in the running to win the NFL MVP title this season. Yet, he is decided to tackle off-the-field endeavours to aid those in need.

Josh Allen partnered with the organization Forgive Co. to alleviate 10 million dollars in consumer debt in the areas and communities Allen called home throughout his life. These locations include Buffalo where he currently plays, Wyoming where he played in college, and his hometown of Fresno CA and some funds going to other places in America. 

Allen called this opportunity as a chance to “uplift thousands of hard-working Americans in the communities that support me by alleviating the burden of debt from their lives." He also explained how like many other successful football players who venture into philanthropy, he was inspired by obligation to his community, "Coming from a small town and now living out my dream playing football, I recognize that I owe a debt of gratitude to the fans for their support not only each Sunday but also their continued support of my off-field endeavors.” The majority of donations however are going to zip codes beginning with 200, which is where most Bills fans live. 

CEO of Forgive Co. Craig Antico iconically worked in a debt collection agency until one day he said, “what am I doing? I don't like doing this.” He then switched his vocation by partnering with another company that aided people in relieving their debts.

Antico would go on to make major strides in his philanthropic journey when he founded RIP Mecial Debt, a nonprofit dedicated to helping alleviate debt to those in need. It was able to reach 4.3 million people by abolishing an impressive 7.9 billion dollars in debt. Antico noticed how the unforeseen events in many Americans’ lives caused spirals into financial stress and hardship. He explained his rationale, "It turns out that medical debt and medical illnesses turn into other debt, and you can't pay your credit cards … can't pay your utilities and your student loans.” 

However, Antico wanted to maximize the number of people he was helping, but was limited by the company logistics, “My experience over the last ten years made me realize that running a non-profit/charity comes with legal limitations – based on income and other regulations — that limit the amount of people that a charity can help.” So as his next step, progressed and founded Forgive Co, registered as a public benefit corporation. This meant Forgive Co. was now able to aid more people but would now rely on other partner companies and business partners to create the funds for debt relief, partners like Josh Allen.

The Bill’s fanbase is known to many as the “Bills Mafia”. They are known to be community-oriented, eccentric, and extremely enthusiastic. They are stereotyped as wild and over the top, a common staple being “table-jumping”, where numbers of fans leap into foldable tables during tailgate parties. However, a lesser-known side of the Bill’s Mafia is their philanthropic attitudes. In 2018, Andy Dalton led the Bengals to a win over the Baltimore Ravens which granted the Bills a spot in the playoffs. In a humorous yet sincere response, Bills fans donated en masse to Dalton’s charity, raising nearly half a million dollars. 

It seems that the unity and charitable spirit that Bills fans have has rubbed off on Josh Allen as he donated his 10 million dollars. He said, “The people are so good” and that “it (Buffalo) reminds me of my hometown”. Football has served as a platform for the people of Buffalo to unite as a community. The power of the fanbase and its actions speak volumes to the eclectic influences that football has in communities all over the country. Stemming from football, a cycle of aid and unity is nurtured.  

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Works Cited

Genovese, Daniella. "Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen helps Americans clear $10M of consumer debt." FoxBuisness.com, 14 Dec. 2022, www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-helps-americans-clear-10m-consumer-debt.

Harrison, David. "Bills QB Josh Allen: Debt of Gratitude' Helps Provide $10 Million of Aid." Si.com, 20 Dec. 2022, www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-mvp-debt-relief-ten-million-forgiveco-charity.

Nair, Deepesh. "Josh Allen's Massive $10 Million Contribution Saves 2600 Households." EssentiallySports.com, 17 Dec. 2022, www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-news-josh-allen-massive-10-million-contribution-saves-2600-households/.