Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are rolling through the 2025 NFL season, starting 4-0 and preparing to face the New England Patriots in Week 5. While Allen’s talent on the field continues to shine, a surprising behind-the-scenes detail about his game-day routine has come to light.
During an appearance on the St. Brown Podcast, wide receiver Khalil Shakir shared that Allen has an unusual pregame ritual — he throws up before every game. “I remember, I was shocked when I first seen it, too,” Shakir admitted. “Then he goes out there and balls out. New guys who haven’t seen it yet just think he’s getting ready like normal, and then they walk in the bathroom and he’s throwing up. But it’s just something he’s always done.”
This isn’t the first time Allen has spoken about it. Before last season’s AFC Championship matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, he described his three essential pregame steps: “Throw up, listen to my playlist, and drink water. Right after pre-game warmups, I go to the locker room, throw up, put my music on, and hydrate.”
Allen explained that the habit dates back to his second season during a preseason game in Detroit against the Lions. Feeling unwell, he decided to throw up before the game and noticed a strange benefit: the thumb cramps that usually bothered him while throwing disappeared. From that moment on, it became part of his preparation. As for food, Allen typically avoids eating before kickoff, though for later games he sometimes has a simple meal of buttered pasta.
Aside from his pregame quirks, Allen is also looking forward to seeing a familiar face on the opposing sideline this week. Former Bills receiver Mack Hollins, who played in Buffalo during the 2024 season before signing with New England, will face his old team for the first time. “Very excited to see Mack Hollins,” Allen said. “He made a very lasting impact in just one season here, and he’s another Buffalo folklore legend.”
With the Bills unbeaten and Allen locked in, his unusual ritual seems to be working as the team eyes another deep playoff run.
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