SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The love football fans have for Josh Allen extends far beyond the cold confines of Western New York. He’s a hot topic at the WM Phoenix Open all the way out in Arizona, more than 2,000 miles away from where he has produced countless highlight-worthy plays in Orchard Park.
Many PGA Tour pros, notably Jordan Spieth and Keith Mitchell, talked about how they adore Allen after he won the NFL’s MVP award for the first time in his career.
“He’s my favorite player. Maybe in any sport right now, but definitely my favorite football player,” Spieth said.
“He’s just a great dude. So that obviously means a lot. But I wish he was playing on Sunday. I know he does, too.”
Of course, the Kansas City Chiefs eliminated Allen and the Bills from the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, sending all of Bills Mafia into a seasonal depression once more. Two weeks ago, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs prevented Buffalo from reaching its first Super Bowl in 31 years by defeating the Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship. The Chiefs are vying for their third straight Super Bowl title against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Despite that, Allen won the MVP award and remains a fan favorite for millions across the country. That includes Spieth, who has played alongside him at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in the past.
“I love the way he talks about his team. I love how he fights. I think he’s obviously an incredible quarterback. But he’s a good dude, too,” Spieth added.
“He’s just a better dude than I would have thought. Yeah, how can you not like watching him play? How about that lateral this year? It just looks like he’s out there playing backyard football with his buddies, and that’s how we should try to feel if we can, and he makes it look pretty easy.”
Meanwhile, Mitchell has partnered with Allen at Pebble Beach several times. But the former Georgia Bulldog does not want to play with him again until he retires. Mitchell really wants Allen to lead Buffalo to the Super Bowl, and considering the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am falls on the week before the big game, Allen would have to miss this event if he led Buffalo to the promised land.
“There’s a lot of good players in the NFL, and just kind of how he carries his team and how his team respects him and the talent, I think it’s well deserved,” Mitchell said.
“Hopefully, he can work on his golf game a little bit in the next couple months and then maybe play a few rounds. But I hope to never see him again at Pebble Beach.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.