Our Central Valley
By STEVE NEWVINE
NFL quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills may have missed out on a long-awaited trip to the Super Bowl following last Saturday’s loss against Denver. But in the community of Firebaugh in Fresno County, just over the Merced County line near Dos Palos, Josh is still regarded as someone who has done his hometown proud.
“In a tiny town like ours, Josh gave our young people hope,” says Firebaugh High School Principal Mason Rodman. “(He’s given) hope that anyone can go on to do something great.”
Josh played his high school football for the Firebaugh Eagles. The school district honored his achievements with the Bills by dedicating their football field to him a few years ago.
Allen’s generosity to his home town is now something of a legend. He’s donated athletic equipment for all kinds of boys and girls sports programs. He even helped get a six-figure royalty arrangement with Nike and the school district.
Principal Rodman tells the story of the night Josh was honored at the stadium, and showed up with a specially made Firebaugh Eagles sweatshirt.
“People were asking where they could buy a shirt like that one. Josh had the Bills get a deal with Nike to make and sell the shirts while giving some of the profits to the school.”
The royalty payments exceeded $100,000. The football program bought a field robot to accurately mark the playing field. Rodman said several schools within the district also received money from that effort.
Before he became principal, Mason Rodman was a coach in the district’s football and baseball programs. While he came into that role after Josh completed high school, he has coached Josh’s brother in baseball and trained Josh’s sister with weights and conditioning.
Some of those who know the Allen family in Firebaugh are impressed by their humility in the community.
The manager of the local Dollar General says Josh’s dad comes to the store occasionally. “He is a very humble man,” one of the managers at the store said. “This is such a small town where people are not bothering him all the time, giving him his privacy.”
Firebaugh’s affection for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills is apparent anytime the team is ready to take to the field. “I can’t tell you how many Bills’ jerseys we see around here leading up to a game,” Rodman says. “He’s an awesome human being.”
So while the small city (population 8,547) saw their dreams and those of their native son fade away following the Bills’ loss to Denver Saturday, they take the consolation prize of knowing how highly respected Josh Allen is in Firebaugh and beyond.
His generosity is legendary, his family’s humility is honored, and he continues to make his hometown proud.
Steve Newvine is an author and Times contributor who lives in Merced.