Youth Unleashed: Braelon Allen Makes Massive Impression
Braelon Allen, the youngest player in the NFL this season, made history by scoring two touchdowns in one game. This remarkable achievement gives him plenty of reasons to smile.
Braelon Allen's impressive football career started in college. According to USA Today,
Allen rushed for 3,494 yards and scored 35 touchdowns on 597 carries while playing for his college team, the Badgers.
There is no doubt that his dedication and hard work paid off, leading to him securing a spot on the New York Jets.
Allen Seizes The Moment
As a fourth-round draft pick, Allen was designated as the backup running back on the 2024 roster. When the opportunity presented itself, Allen showed his true potential. In the Jets versus the Titans game, Allen made a play that helped the Jets clinch their victory. With just under five minutes left in the game, the Jets decided to run the ball with their backup running back, Braelon Allen, rather than starter Breece Hall. As is noted
"His offensive line opened up a massive hole on the right side and the Wisconsin product scampered through it before finding his way to the end zone to give the Jets a lead they would not relinquish."
He came through.
Under Twenty-Two Talent Surge
While there have been rules that typically served as barriers to younger players in the NFL, that seems to be becoming a thing of the past. According to USA Today, this year saw 25 NFL players under the age of 22 as of September 6th, with Allen coming in as the youngest. He will not reach the age of 21 until 2025, highlighting his exceptional youth as an NFL player.
The Rules Of The Game
Why does the NFL have an age barrier in place, and what is its intended purpose? Football is a dangerous sport with concussions proven to be one of the most dangerous injuries a football player could suffer.
Boston University conducted a study that yielded some surprising findings about football injuries, specifically concussions. The researchers studied 376 former football players. According to their particular study,
“They have diagnosed 345 former NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) out of 376 former players studied.”
This extrapolation is not meant to give a precise estimate of the likelihood of players developing CTE. It's important to note that this represents only a sample size. The brain bank samples are subject to selection biases. We don't know the prevalence of CTE among NFL players, as CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death. This does not lessen the alarming nature of the results, which provides a strong rationale for implementing protective measures.
Are Standards Evolving?
USA Today additionally notes that the goal of the age barrier policy is to ensure that players who reach the professional level are adequately prepared for the physical demands of the NFL. This is duly respected. Times change, and so do perceptions There are reportedly more and more loopholes opening up, allowing younger and younger players to join the roster of professional football players.
Braelon Allen's Success As An Indicator
Given Allen’s outstanding performance in the Jets matchup against the Titans, where he made critical plays contributing to the team's success, it is evident that he is well-prepared for the challenges of professional football. Fans undoubtedly expect to see growth in the young running back.
What does the future look like? Will the achievements of young players, such as Allen, set a precedent for reconsidering the current parameters, prompting a potential shift in the existing norms of player eligibility in the NFL?
Is there a possibility of the NFL reverting to a time before the Super Bowl, when teenagers, like 19-year-old Tom Bedore and 18-year-old Frank Santora, were part of the league? It is certainly an interesting discussion.
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