Josh Allen 'didn't react too great' to birthday surprise days before marrying Hailee Steinfeld
The superstar Bills quarterback, who married partner Hailee Steinfeld on May 31, was told while he was celebrating his 29th birthday on May 21 that most of his training camp would be documented by HBO cameras for the fly-on-the-wall NFL show.
'It was quite a surprise,' Allen, 29, told USA TODAY Sports. 'Typically, teams that make the playoffs were never a part of that conversation.'
'I probably, initially, didn't react too great to it,' he added. 'But I do think it's a cool opportunity for people to see some of the great men we have on our team and some of the great women we have in our staff as a whole.'
Allen and the Bills narrowly missed out on a Super Bowl berth last season after another defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, this time in the AFC Championship game. The Chiefs also got the better of them in the 2023 Divisional playoffs.
League rules previously prohibited teams that had made playoffs in the last two years, had a first-year head coach or had appeared on the show in the last decade from being selected for Hard Knocks.
However, owners voted to eliminate the playoff stipulation of those rules prior to the 2024 season.
'I think it's a thing we can't let distract us,' Allen continued. 'Got to keep the main thing the main thing. But I also think it could be a fun opportunity for guys to show their personality. And people get a better insight for how the Buffalo Bills operate.'
Just over a week after getting the Hard Knocks news, the reigning NFL MVP tied the knot with Marvel star Steinfeld, 28, in a beautiful ceremony at the San Ysidro ranch in Montecito, California.
Exclusive DailyMail.com photos showed the moment a beaming Steinfeld made her way up the aisle on the arm of her proud dad Peter, never taking her eyes off Allen.
In a modern twist, the actress dispensed with the traditional bridal bouquet and instead, accessorized her gown with full-length white gloves, large diamond studs and a frothy veil.
Later, the couple - who started dating in 2023 before getting engaged last November - were seen celebrating saying 'I do' with a kiss in front of a clapping crowd of guests, with a dark suit-clad Allen seen looking proud as he made his way back down the aisle with his new wife.
He returned to Bills minicamp last month showing off a black wedding band as he spoke about a huge offseason which has also seen him win the MVP award and sign a record-setting contract with $250million guaranteed.
'They've all been big, none other than marrying my best friend, and she makes everything easier,' he told reporters of the accomplishments.
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