Bills’ star Josh Allen is in the headlines and this time it’s not because of his game. All thanks to a massive Gatorade billboard featuring none other than Josh Allen on the side of the historic Statler Hotel in Downtown Buffalo.
While it has become an instant attraction for Bills fans, a bit of controversy has been catching fire behind the scenes, as the billboard went up without the city’s official permission. This sparked some debate about whether rules were bent to make it happen.
Amid all this tension, Josh Allen unburdened himself with a vulnerable confession about the advertisement. He mentioned how much the poster means to him, saying, “I have not seen it yet and actually was unaware of it going up. I was as surprised as everybody else.” The QB also talked about how cool it is to see all the good memes coming from the photo.
For Allen, the moment was a reminder of his journey from a small-town kid to an NFL star. The two times Pro Bowl receiver added, “You know sitting here is now a 28 year old man but you know this six, seven year old kid that is me is going crazy right now because it’s such an honor and it’s just really cool to have the respect from whoever did that and hopefully people like it.“ His response was nothing short of humble! Josh also pointed out that the brand can take it out if they want to, as it doesn’t bother him. While that sounds overwhelming, save your tears for what he said next.
The NFL’s third-best QB noted that he might inspire others to chase their dreams. Josh Allen stated, “I don’t like looking at myself, anyway. But I don’t know if it’s serving any inspiration to anybody down there, any kids.” And it’s pretty heart-warming to think that a small-town farm kid with no offers out of high school could end up where he did. However, while the highest passer rating record holder finds the billboard inspiring, he is in a tight spot because of city violations!
Josh Allen in hot water over Billboard City violations
Let’s start with the buzz. The billboard is impossible to miss—at 120 feet tall and 110 feet wide, capturing Josh Allen in all his superstar glory. Soon it became a must-visit place for anyone in the Bills Mafia. While the QB stays grounded, the advertisement has put him in a bind.
The community embraced the billboard with open arms, but the city of Buffalo has raised concerns. The Statler Hotel, owned by Douglas Jemal, didn’t get the required zoning approval before putting up that huge billboard. Moreover, the City officials confirmed that although Jemal’s team submitted the required paperwork, they didn’t secure the permit in time.
Cathy Amdur, Buffalo’s Commissioner of Permits and Inspection, explained that there’s no bad blood. However, they needed a variance for the sign, and the timing just didn’t work out. She noted that Statler Hotel is “working with us to make it all right” and that the city is “following our normal processes and procedures.” And to sort out all this drama, they have scheduled a meeting with the zoning board for the next month. Andur added, “We’re all Bill fans here!”
Despite the technical hiccups, the public seems overwhelmingly supportive. Buffalo residents have been vocal about their love for the billboard. Apart from becoming a positive boost for the city during tough times, it also turned into a center of attraction. Jemal echoed this sentiment, saying the display serves a larger purpose for Buffalo. He said, “This is a positive win for Buffalo!”
With all the controversy going on, it seems the billboard is a win-win for everyone. And since so much good things happening to Josh Allen, lets hope he keeps inspiring the fans!
