The Buffalo Bills Lost and QB Josh Allen cried

by Pamela Coleman

January 2026

Saturday’s AFC Division playoff game was incredibly exciting and outstanding from any perspective. The Buffalo Bills lost to the Denver Broncos in overtime, a heartbreaking defeat for me and other Buffalo fans. During the post-game interview, Josh Allen (undoubtedly one of the league’s top talents) took responsibility for the loss. “I feel like I let my teammates down,” he said, wiping tears from his cheeks.

Teammates in the Bill’s locker room also cried, but no one blamed Allen.

Maybe this post is cathartic. It is also something more. Allen’s genuine expression of remorse and the team’s later support for their leader say a lot about the Bills’ team culture. How they behave: with humility, a team-first mindset, no finger-pointing, shared disappointment. How they decide: to accept responsibility and offer support. 

I wish we saw more genuine expressions of emotion from leaders around the world. Leaders win and lose, succeed and fail, and develop both winning and losing strategies. The pressure to perform is intense and can often lead to inauthentic or insincere behaviors. But not with Josh Allen. 

Young men and women need to see inspiring individuals who are willing to pursue excellence, give their all for success, and show vulnerability when they experience loss. 

Love you, Josh Allen. You earned hero status for me this weekend. See you next year.