Josh Allen's matchup in Week 13 will hold some extra weight on Sunday, and for multiple reasons.
Bills vs. 49ers will be a heavyweight, interconference matchup between two annual playoff contenders, although San Fransisco (5-6) hasn't had the same usual level of success this season, while Buffalo (9-2) remains a Super Bowl contender.
On top of the stakes between two star-studded teams, Allen will also get just his second opportunity to face his old favorite team.
Here are the details to know on Allen's former 49ers fandom, including his hometown and high school.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Was Josh Allen a 49ers fan?Allen did in fact grow up as a huge 49ers fan, previously saying during the draft process that being selected by San Fransisco would be a "dream come true" before the Bills took him seventh overall in 2018.
His high school coach, Alex Gutierrez, said in 2020 that Allen "was a huge Niners fan."
Josh Allen’s number is the only one in Firebaugh High’s program history to be retired. Here’s a video look at the field he played on.
I just talked to Allen’s HS QB coach, Alex Gutierrez. The first thing he said: “Josh was a huge Niners fan.” pic.twitter.com/jTZj27Z473
There are some pictures of a young Allen in 49ers gear out there as well.
Rooting for Josh Allen, the boy hood Niner fan today #FTTB | #49ers????: @BuffaloBillsPR pic.twitter.com/0qNx3ksr6j
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers_) January 16, 2021Allen has had just one matchup against San Fransisco in his NFL career so far, which came in December 2020. The Bills won that contest 34-24, and Allen put up huge numbers: 375 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
MORE NFL:
Week 13 NFL playoff pictureWeek 13 NFL Power RankingsWeek 13 NFL picksWeek 13 NFL picks against the spreadJosh Allen hometownAllen grew up in Firebaugh, California, a small town that's around 40 miles west of Fresno. He lived on a cotton farm, and his family had a long history of living in the Firebaugh area.
Allen tried to pursue Fresno State in college as a local, but didn't receive a single Division I offer out of high school. He wound up playing one season at Reedley, a junior college, then three seasons at Wyoming.
Josh Allen high schoolAllen attended Firebaugh High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball. As previously mentioned, he didn't receive a single scholarship offer from an FBS school.