a state , so they don ’ t receive the same funding as a state ,” Allen explained . “ But they have a higher population than five or six states in this country , so they ’ re severely underfunded for the number of people living there . When you look at the issues that some of the kids in D . C . are going through , it ’ s a lot — there are high homeless population rates amongst kids and minors . Obviously , you can ’ t save the world , you can ’ t save everybody , but the one group that I really wanted to work with was the kids in D . C .” As part of their contribution to Sasha Bruce , the philanthropic couple created the Jonathan and Hannah Allen Innovation Lounge , a multidisciplinary space designed to inspire creativity , open-mindedness , and an entrepreneurial spirit .
“ The Innovation Lounge was something we actually did right before COVID ,” Allen said . “ We came in , we renovated their technologies ’ space , gave them updated computers , tablets , TVs , gaming consoles , and really just gave them a way to have constant access to the internet in a world that without it , you can ’ t really do much .” It also tapped into Allen ’ s inner gamer ! “ I ’ m really big into gaming and I ’ m really big into technology — I just love that aspect ,” he said . “ I wanted to do something that I was passionate about as well because I feel like then you ’ re more willing to go back in order to see it through or just do the best that you can .”
Allen grew up in Ashburn , Virginia , and attended Stone Bridge High School , so now being considered a hometown hero is extra special to him . “ It really is cool . I think it ’ s something that I never really thought of growing up . I don ’ t know if I can appreciate this until it ’ s over , because I ’ m just so focused on what I ’ m doing now ,” he said modestly .
Along with being a mentor to thousands of youngsters through his non-profit work , Allen is also seen as a leader in the Commanders ’ locker room , where he inspires younger players to live up to their potential . “ I think it ’ s important because I feel like to be where I ’ m at right now , I had a lot of great leaders and great teammates that were here when I first got in [ to the NFL ],” Allen revealed . “ Everything I try to pass on are all the things that helped me get to where I ’ m at , because at the end of the day , the goal is to get paid for playing football , so you can take care of your family , and I ’ ve been able to do that . I teach the young guys how to survive in this league and what they can do to best be able to put themselves in the situation to support their families .”
“ I try to be a leader by example ,” he continued . “ I think it ’ s easy to go out there and tell people what they need to do , but I just try to show them what I ’ ve done to get to this point and give them the opportunity to tag along and join me , and work with me and see how I do it .”
Like every great mentor , Allen himself was inspired by those who went before him . Among them was former Washington defensive tackle , Ziggy Hood , who was a 10-year veteran when Allen joined as a rookie in 2017 . Other inspirations include “ Shrimp Williams , Ryan Kerrigan , Adrian Peterson — it would be hard to name them all , but there were a lot of guys who really helped out ,” he said . With a new class of rookies recently drafted by the Commanders , including defensive back Jartavius Martin , Allen said the biggest piece of advice he will give them is “ just to run your own race . When you ’ re in the NFL locker room , there ’ s a lot of personalities and there ’ s a lot of different cliques , and it ’ s just very different from person to person . I think it ’ s very easy to get caught up in trying to keep up with other people or act how other people act . But you ’ ve just got to run your own race , you know what I mean ? Everybody ’ s in different stages and you have got to be focused on what you ’ re doing . You can ’ t focus on the person to the left or to the right of you .”
It came as no surprise to anyone that Allen was voted onto the Pro Bowl team last season for a second time — except maybe to Allen himself ! “ It means a lot because it means that I have the respect of my peers , the analysts and the fans … I ’ m super excited , I never thought that a time would come when I would be a Pro Bowl player .” The honor is just one more thing to motivate this hard-working man as we head into the 2023 season . “ I really feel like we have a really good team , we just have to go out there and prove it . I ’ m looking forward to seeing what we can do as a team and myself , personally ,” he said . “ I ’ m excited but I think one thing that I try not to do is put expectations on the team , because I feel like that leads to disappointment . I live by standards and if I can accomplish my standards and if the team can live by its standards , you can live with the result .”
The Washington Commanders ’ 2023 season kicks off on Sunday , Sept . 10 hosting the Arizona Cardinals , when we ’ ll all be able to watch Allen and his teammates achieve those high standards .
Jonathan Allen
Credit : Washington Commanders
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