Jonathan Allen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Allen

Allen with the Washington Commanders in 2022
No. 93 – Washington Commanders
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1995-01-16) January 16, 1995 (age 30) Anniston, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:	Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Virginia)
College:	Alabama (2013–2016)
NFL Draft:	2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17
Career history
Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders (2017–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl (2021, 2022) CFP national champion (2015) Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2016) Chuck Bednarik Award (2016) Ted Hendricks Award (2016) Lombardi Award (2016) SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016) Unanimous All-American (2016) 3× first-team All-SEC (2014–2016)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Tackles: 401 Sacks: 42 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 2 Pass deflections: 5 Interceptions: 1
Player stats at PFR

Jonathan Allen (born January 16, 1995) is an American professional football player. He plays as a defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

While at Alabama, Jonathan helped his team win a national championship in 2015. In 2016, he earned several awards for being an outstanding defensive player. The Washington team chose Allen in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has been selected for the Pro Bowl two times, which is a big honor for NFL players.

Jonathan Allen's Early Life

Jonathan Allen was born on January 16, 1995, in Anniston, Alabama. He moved around a lot when he was young, living in places like Seattle, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Maryland. Eventually, his family settled in Ashburn, Virginia. He went to Stone Bridge High School there.

When Jonathan was eight, he and his brother, Richard Allen III, lived in foster care for ten months. Their father, US Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Allen Jr., then gained full custody of them in 2004. In his senior year of high school in 2012, Jonathan was named the Virginia Gatorade Football Player of the Year. During his high school career, he made 308 tackles and 44 sacks. He was considered one of the best high school football players in the country. Jonathan decided to play college football for the University of Alabama.

College Football Journey

Jonathan Allen started playing for Alabama as a true freshman in 2013. He played in 13 games and made 16 tackles. In 2014, as a sophomore, he played in all 14 games and started 12 of them. He was recognized as a first-team player in the All-Southeastern Conference. That year, he had 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

In 2015, Jonathan was a junior and started all 14 games for the Crimson Tide. His team won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship by beating the Clemson Tigers 45–40. In 2016, Jonathan had an amazing season. He won several major awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award. These awards recognize the best defensive players in college football.

College Game Stats

Playing in the NFL

Allen running onto the field in a 2018 game

Before the NFL draft, many experts thought Jonathan Allen would be one of the first five players chosen. Some teams became a little worried when he was found to have arthritis in one of his shoulders. He even had surgery on both shoulders before the NFL Combine. Still, he was ranked as a top defensive tackle by many sports experts. Even with the shoulder concerns, most experts believed he would be a first-round pick.

The Washington Redskins picked Jonathan Allen in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the 17th player chosen overall. In May 2017, he signed his first professional contract, which was for four years and worth $11.59 million. He recorded his first professional sack in a game against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. However, in Week 6, he got a foot injury called a Lisfranc injury. He had surgery and was placed on the injured reserve list, meaning he couldn't play for the rest of the 2017 season.

Jonathan returned strong for the 2018 season. He started all 16 games and had eight sacks and 61 tackles. In 2019, he started 15 games, finishing with six sacks and 68 tackles. In April 2020, the team decided to keep him for an extra year on his contract. He also switched his playing position from defensive end to defensive tackle. This happened because the team's new defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio, changed the team's defensive strategy. Jonathan finished the 2020 season with two sacks and 63 tackles.

Allen sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2021.

On July 27, 2021, Jonathan Allen signed a new four-year contract extension worth $72 million. This showed how much the team valued him. In December 2021, he set a new personal record with 8.5 sacks in a single season. After the 2021 season, he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. This means he was recognized as one of the best players at his position in the NFL. Other players also ranked him 88th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022 list.

In Week 1 of the 2022 season, Jonathan had three tackles and a sack. In Week 6, he made his first career interception and forced a fumble in a win against the Chicago Bears. In December 2022, he was voted into his second straight Pro Bowl. He was also ranked 52nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023. In the 2023 season, Allen started 16 games. He finished with 5.5 sacks and 53 tackles.

In Week 6 of the 2024 season, Jonathan partially tore a muscle in his left chest. It was thought he might miss the rest of the season. However, he was able to return to play before the end of December.

NFL Game Statistics

Jonathan's Life Off the Field

Jonathan Allen married his wife, Hannah, in July 2018. Because of his own experiences growing up, Jonathan often helps out at homeless shelters. He cares about giving back to the community.

Jonathan grew up as a big fan of the Washington Redskins. It was a dream come true for him to be drafted by the very same team he cheered for as a kid!

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Allen para niños