By the time the 2021 NFL season is over, Josh Allen may well be the league MVP. But after Sunday, there’s no question about it, he’s also the owner of the league’s Most Valuable Costume.
Before his game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Allen celebrated Halloween in style only a golfer could love. The Buffalo Bills’ neophytic young quarterback dressed up as Phil Mickelson, sending the internet into a tizzy, and even prompting a response from the man himself.
It all started this morning, when Allen moseyed his way into the locker room in traditional fashion, spare for his outfit. Instead of his traditional pregame suit-and-tie, Allen sported a slightly more … casual look as he entered the Bills home stadium in Orchard Park. The 25-year-old wore khaki shorts, a light blue golf shirt, sunglasses and a visor. He also carried a Thermos, which he used to gesture toward the camera.
Upon closer inspection (and after an all-too-familiar thumbs-up), Allen’s costume was revealed: he was dressed as none other than Phil Mickelson. In the short clip, which made rounds on social media on Sunday morning, Allen can be seen showcasing his calves for the camera and sporting a visor with the Kiawah Island logo attached, a nod to Lefty’s thrilling win at the PGA Championship in May.
Before long, Mickelson himself was among those responding to the video, sharing his thoughts in a series of tweets.
“Josh Allen just became the most seductive man on the planet,” Mickelson said cheekily at first, before tweeting again a few minutes later.
“I find this new version of Josh Allen so seductive and yet I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly it is,” Mickelson continued. “GoBills.”
It’s not clear when Mickelson and Allen met for the first time, though the two athletes have been active on each other’s social media handles over the last several months. Of course, Allen is an avid golfer who has competed in various pro-am events over the years, including the American Century Championship in Tahoe and Phoenix Open.
On Sunday, his Buffalo Bills will look to move to 5-2 on the 2021 season with Allen at the helm, while Mickelson will enjoy another week off after a T47 finish at last week’s Dominion Energy Classic of the Champion’s Tour.
James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.