The Buffalo Bills’ quarterback, Josh Allen, is still in touch with his farming roots even after eight years in the NFL. However, he doesn’t compare his grind on the field to that on the farm. 

NFL insider Dov Kleiman shared a post on X where the Bills’ QB talked about how demanding farm work is when compared to playing in the NFL.

“The stuff I’m doing is hard. The working out, the keeping your body in shape, and putting yourself through physical harm sometimes,” said Allen to host Pat Spinosa of Like A Farmer podcast. “It’s not harder than moving an irrigation pipe in 115 degrees.”

Allen went on to add that that’s what he and his brother did growing up in the wheat and cotton fields. The QB shared that he reminds himself that his farming days were harder while training for the NFL. 

The 30-year-old revealed that his father used to tell him and his brother that if they didn’t play sports, they would continue working on the farm. This motivated the brothers to play every kind of sport, like gymnastics, karate, basketball, baseball, soccer, etc., to avoid farm work.

Per a HITC report, Allen grew up in Firebaugh, California, where his parents got him into farming crops, including cotton, wheat, and cantaloupes. He has spoken before about doing jobs like moving irrigation pipe, driving equipment, and helping in the fields.

After the Bills chose him as their QB in the seventh overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen’s career took a contrasting turn from his farming days. In eight years with the Bills and in 128 games, Allen registered 30,102 passing yards, 220 touchdowns, and a 64% pass completion rate.

Allen's comparison of farm life being harder than playing in the NFL drew reactions from fans across the league.

Fans React to Bills’ Quarterback’s Comment Comparing Farm Life to the NFL

NFL fans took to social media and commented under Dov Kleiman’s post on X.

Few fans agreed with Allen’s statements on the gruesome nature of farm work when compared to playing in the NFL.

“My daughter works on a dairy farm and loves it, but she definitely works out,” commented a fan in agreement. 

Another fan wrote, “I always say if there was one job I didn’t wanna do, it would be irrigation lmao.”

The HITC report shared that Allen’s family farmed around Firebaugh, a part of California that’s known for its brutal summer heat and long agricultural days.

“Firebough is tough,” commented a fan aware of the tough aspect of farming where Allen grew up. 

A few fans admired Allen for staying connected to his background.

“Very respectable,” wrote one user.

Another fan left a comment saying, “Josh Allen, also known as the only football player who grew up on a farm!”

While the fan wasn't literally correct, on a broader scale, they meant that Allen is one of the most prominent active NFL stars with deep farming roots.

For many fans, Allen’s statements on his farming days offered a glimpse into the work ethic and upbringing that have continued to shape his NFL career to date.

Read more on the Cleveland Browns Community

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Rudra Dubey