In January 2004, Aaron Rodgers was preparing for his final season at Cal. Meanwhile, in the shadow of Lambeau Field, Braelon Allen’s family was welcoming a newborn baby … Braelon Allen. Twenty years later, they came together in a big way on Sunday in Nashville.
Allen helped Rodgers earn his first win – well, technically his second — as the Jets’ starting quarterback, a 24-17 triumph at Tennessee. The rookie’s 20-yard touchdown run broke a fourth-quarter tie. Afterward, Rodgers said the victory was significant not just because it connected the NFL’s oldest and youngest players, Rodgers and Allen, but because it built team character.
“These are the kind of the games you look back on late in the season, and you’re thankful that you won these,” Rodgers said, per Teresa M. Walker of the Associated Press. “Because if we want to be a great team, we’ve got to win in these type of environments against teams like that.”
That Nissan Stadium environment christened Allen, who at 20 years and 239 days old actually scored two touchdowns, including a 12-yard pass from Rodgers to put the Jets on the board in the second quarter.
According to Elias Sports Bureau and the NFL, Allen became the youngest player in the Super Bowl era and second youngest since 1933 to score an NFL touchdown, trailing Andy Livingston (20 years, 53 days on Dec. 13, 1964, for the Chicago Bears). Allen also surpassed Brandin Cooks (21 years, 31 days on Oct. 26, 2014, with the New Orleans Saints) as the youngest player since 1933 to score both rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same game.
And his family must’ve raised him well, judging by the way he credited Jeremy Ruckert for the key block that sprung him into the end zone with 4:31 remaining in the game.
“My Nana could probably score on that one,” Allen said.
Allen, Rodgers and the Jets (1-1) won’t have to wait long for their next opportunity. They’re at home on Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) against New England (1-1).