Josh Allen Recalls His Strangest Autograph Request — And the Emotional Surprise Behind It
During Aaron Rodgers’ Rx3 charity flag football tournament on March 15, 2025, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen opened up about one of the most unforgettable fan encounters of his career. The 28-year-old QB told PEOPLE that while he’s signed plenty of unique items, one request stood out far beyond the rest.
“This guy said he had a tattoo of my number on his back,” Allen shared. “I figured it would be a small thing—but it actually went from his neck all the way down to his hips.”
The moment became even more memorable when the fan, later identified as Fritz Sakran III, asked Allen to sign a piece of paper. Sakran’s intention? To have Allen’s signature permanently inked above the enormous tattoo of his jersey number 17.
But the interaction wasn’t just surprising — it was heartfelt. Sakran, a lifelong Bills fan from Georgia, had never imagined he’d meet his favorite player in person. That chance came unexpectedly while Sakran was working at a private event where Allen was dining. With the help of a co-worker, Sakran revealed the tattoo, and Allen’s reaction was everything the fan could have hoped for.
Allen was stunned by the dedication. He smiled, laughed, and didn’t hesitate to embrace Sakran, pose for a photo, and sign the autograph that would complete the tribute. It was a brief but emotional moment that left a lasting impression on both men.
“He didn’t have to do all that,” Sakran later said. “But he made it special. He made it personal.”
Allen, who recently signed a $330 million contract extension with the Bills, also shared a light-hearted memory during the tournament — recalling how NBA star Klay Thompson once signed a toaster, adding a bit of humor to the chat about unusual autograph requests.
In the midst of all the fanfare and his busy schedule — including wedding planning with fiancée Hailee Steinfeld — Allen joined Rodgers, Bryce Young, Joe Flacco, and Will Levis to raise money for causes like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
The tattoo story may have started as one of Allen’s “weirdest” fan experiences, but it ended up being one of the most meaningful.
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