Josh Allen wears number 17 for the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback has worn 17 throughout his NFL career in Buffalo, making “JA17” a familiar nickname among Bills fans and one of the most recognizable player-number combinations in the league.
Buffalo selected Allen with the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after his college career at the University of Wyoming. He quickly became the team’s franchise quarterback, combining a powerful arm with unusual running ability. His number is often seen on Bills jerseys, signs, and fan merchandise.
The number also gained a charitable association in Buffalo. After Allen played following the death of his grandmother, fans donated in $17 increments to Oishei Children’s Hospital in her memory. The campaign helped turn his jersey number into a symbol of generosity as well as football fandom.
A common mix-up is confusing Josh Allen with other NFL players who share his name, including linebacker Josh Allen, formerly of Kentucky and the Jacksonville Jaguars. For the Buffalo Bills quarterback, however, the canonical answer is simply 17.