Beverly Hills, Calif. (WBEN/AP) - Only hours after her husband Josh Allen had a big day with a Buffalo Bills playoff win in Jacksonville over the Jaguars, Hailee Steinfeld had a moment in the Hollywood spotlight as well.
Steinfeld was showing off her 'baby bump' in a long gown on the red carpet before the awards, and then presented during the show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel as well.
Allen was arriving back in Buffalo on the team charter around the time Steinfeld was presenting at the awards show.
The power couple announced the pregnancy in December.
Word of Steinfeld's pregnancy shed light on what was considered a curious comment Allen made during a “Monday Night Football” interview in mid-October. Asked what Steinfeld has taught him, Allen paused before saying: “Maybe I am more than a football player.”
While some questioned whether that represented a shift in the quarterback’s focus, especially at a time the Bills went into a two-game skid, Allen told The Associated Press on Wednesday that learning of his wife’s pregnancy factored into his response.
“Overjoyed, absolutely overjoyed,” Allen said, confirming he learned he was going to be a father well before the interview was conducted.
Steinfeld, coming off a year in which she earned acclaim for her role in the movie “Sinners,” announced her pregnancy on Friday in a message on her weekly Substack newsletter listing her favorite moments of the year.
The message closed with a video of the couple holding hands next to a tiny snowman. Steinfeld wore a sweater that read “mother,” with Allen kneeling to kiss her baby bump.
“It just kind of came about,” Allen said of the announcement.
He since has put to rest any questions about his commitment to football.
Buffalo (10-4) is in position to clinch its seventh straight playoff berth as early as this Sunday, with a game at Cleveland (3-11). The Bills have won four of five, the last two in which they’ve overcome double-digit deficits.
And Allen is leading the way over that five-game stretch with 10 touchdowns passing and five rushing while working his way back into the MVP conversation.
His 37 touchdowns (25 passing, 12 rushing) are tied with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for the league lead. And Allen is one touchdown away from becoming the NFL's first player to reach the 300-TD plateau before turning 30.
“I’m just trying to do my job, just trying to find a way to get in the playoffs here,” Allen said, dismissing MVP talk.
Coach Sean McDermott praised Allen’s development as a player and person.
“Some of the things he’s done are unprecedented in terms of what a quarterback has been able to accomplish,” McDermott said.
“And the human side to Josh Allen is, I also believe, what endears him in addition to his play to this community and around the world because he’s real,” McDermott added. “It’s refreshing to see just a real authentic person that also is the face of the franchise.”
Guard David Edwards laughed when told he and his fellow offensive lineman will have a newborn Allen to protect.
“They’re such great people, guys you love to be around. To see them so excited and happy, I’m just so happy for them,” Edwards said.
Making it even better is Allen’s ability to stay rooted and not allowing room for distractions.
“One of his super powers, of which there are many, is his ability to turn it on and off. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Edwards said. “One of his many great traits is being able to separate being on and off, keeping private and public life separate. There’s so many admirable things about him. That’s why he’s the man.”
And expectant dad.