There’s no offseason when it comes to loyalty, and Josh Allen just reminded us of that in the most Josh Allen way possible. In a summer filled with trade rumors, draft chaos, and wedding RSVPs, the Bills QB made a move that had nothing to do with football. Just a quiet, meaningful gesture that hit harder than any touchdown pass. Whatever you thought about him skipping that event earlier this year… this? This pretty much changes the whole vibe.
It’s one of those moments that might fly under the radar, but if you’ve been following the Bills for a while, you’ll feel it. Micah Hyde, the former Pro Bowl safety and one of the true emotional anchors of Buffalo’s defense, officially hung up the cleats this July. And guess who showed up? Yes, Josh Allen.
In the middle of a packed offseason, with all the usual QB stuff flying around, Allen still made it a point to be there in person for Hyde’s sendoff. No press conference needed, no big announcement. Just a franchise guy showing love to a teammate who meant the world to that locker room. That’s the kind of bond that goes way deeper than playbooks.
Over the course of his career, Hyde stacked up 644 tackles, 24 interceptions, and 66 pass breakups. Yeah, that’s some serious production. The man was clutch. He earned second-team All-Pro honors twice, grabbed a Pro Bowl nod, and left a legacy in Buffalo that’s impossible to ignore. But let’s be real, his impact went way beyond mere numbers. He was one of those glue guys. The leader behind the scenes.
And for Josh Allen, who came in just a year after Hyde, he quickly became one of the vets he leaned on most. Together, they helped steer Buffalo through one of its most consistent playoff runs in recent memory, from 2019 to 2023. It wasn’t always flashy, but it was always consistent. And that matters a lot more. A big reason the Bills stayed relevant year after year.
While we’re at it, let’s talk Allen. He had a monstrous 2024. 28 passing touchdowns and 12 more with his feet, 4,251 yards, and capping it all off with his first MVP trophy. But here’s the thing: even with all the pressure of being the face of the franchise, a high-profile wedding with Hailee Steinfeld, and carrying the weight of Buffalo’s hopes, Allen still made time to show up for Micah Hyde. That’s big.
And let’s be honest, after what went down in May? Thank God he showed up.
Allen made up for lost time
Of course, this wasn’t just a feel-good moment out of nowhere. Rewind to May and some Bills fans were scratching their heads when Allen didn’t show up to Micah Hyde’s annual charity softball game. An event he’s been a part of for years. He’s even crushed it in the home run derby before, so yeah, people noticed when he wasn’t there.
Hyde’s softball tourney isn’t just some laid-back off-season hangout. It’s a cornerstone of the Imagine for Youth Foundation, the nonprofit he and his wife Amanda started. Their mission? Helping kids in need with school supplies, sports gear, and real mentorship. What started off as a casual charity softball game has turned into a big-deal event for the Buffalo community.
Hyde never made a big deal about Allen missing the game, but fans definitely noticed. When Allen’s jersey was spotted hanging at the event, it felt like a quiet nod that he was supposed to be there. Didn’t take the fans too long to pick up on it. Some fans were frustrated, wondering why the franchise QB skipped out, while others had his back, pointing to his packed offseason and wedding prep. It certainly sparked more debate than anyone expected for a charity softball game.
Allen never jumped into the back-and-forth. And honestly? He didn’t have to. Anyone who’s followed his career knows the guy shows up when it counts. Whether it’s backing up teammates in tough moments or showing up early for OTAs this spring, Allen has proven time and again that he’s fully committed to Buffalo. He lets his actions do the talking, and this offseason is just more proof of that.
And as for Hyde? There are no weird vibes. No drama. Allen’s called him “one of my favorite humans of all time,” and that’s never felt like just a soundbite. Their bond has always been the real deal. So when it came time to honor Hyde’s retirement in a more intimate setting, Allen didn’t send a message or post about it. He showed up. Just a friend being there when it mattered.
Whatever questions people had after the charity game? This moment answered them. Allen might’ve missed a day in May, but in July, he showed exactly where his heart is.
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