- Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen rejects typical high-energy hype music before games, opting for a surprisingly calm playlist.
- The NFL star listens to slow, old-school artists like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Billy Joel to keep his heart rate down and maintain focus.
- Allen combines his unique music choice with a meditative mindset, emphasizing the importance of a “short memory” to overcome on-field mistakes.
- This mental preparation is a crucial, and until now, little-known part of his strategy for success.
Allen’s Unconventional Path to Gameday Focus
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is celebrated for his electrifying and often masterful improvisations on the football field. Fans might assume his pre-game routine involves blasting high-octane tracks to get amped up. However, the reigning NFL MVP has just revealed a pre-game ritual that defies all expectations and might be the secret behind his cool-headed performances.
The Anti-Hype Playlist
In a recent interview, Allen disclosed that his success is deeply rooted in the mental preparation he undertakes before ever stepping onto the field. Instead of modern pump-up anthems, his playlist is filled with classics that promote calm over chaos.
“I just try to listen to very slow old-school stuff to try to keep the heart rate down,” the 29-year-old star shared. His go-to artists include legends like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Billy Joel. “It’s a lot of songs that are just very slow tempo, and I try to relax, try to find myself in a good spot and think of good things that are about to happen.”
A Meditative Mindset on the Field
This unusual music choice is a cornerstone of a broader mental strategy focused on maintaining equilibrium amidst the high-stakes pressure of the NFL. Allen explained that he aims to achieve a “form of meditation” to stay in control during games.
“Just talking to myself and be like, alright, breathe,” Allen said of his in-game strategy. “Take it one moment at a time. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low.” While he acknowledges that occasional emotional outbursts can rally the team, his default is a state of controlled focus.
The Power of a Short Memory
A critical element of his mental fortitude is what he calls having a “short memory.” When things go wrong, as they did in a recent last-minute loss to the New England Patriots, Allen’s method is to move on instantly.
“I’ve got to wipe it from my memory and move on to the next play,” he stated. “Whatever my offensive coordinator is calling, that’s the most important thing in my life at that moment… I think it’s really a daily thing and I feel like I’ve adopted it to my life. Something bad happens, right? Wipe it, move on, and I can only focus on the present.”
A Winning Formula Off the Field
This disciplined approach appears to be a recipe for success both on and off the field for Allen, who married actress Hailee Steinfeld in the offseason. By prioritizing mental calm and resilience, Allen has developed a unique formula that separates him from the pack, proving that sometimes the quietest preparation can lead to the loudest victories.