Indianapolis Colts Football

THE CIRCLE CITY AND SOME HOOPS HAVE ALLEN FEELING AT HOME

Here is the second of a six-part series profiling tight end Dwayne Allen. On Monday, Allen was in studio on “The Ride with JMV” and covered a variety of topics. Below is the first piece with Allen talking about life in Indianapolis and his love for basketball:

When Dwayne Allen was growing up in Fayetteville, N.C. he thought his future would be on the hardwood.

Allen grew up as a bruising post player on the basketball court and it took until his freshman year of high school to realize that his physicality could be channeled elsewhere.

It was then that Allen picked up the pads and embarked on a high school career that would place him among the nation’s top tight ends.

The love for basketball has not disappeared for Allen and in his new home of Indianapolis he has found a new favorite team in the state capitol.

“I love Butler basketball,” Allen said. “I’ve been to some men’s games, some women’s games. I was at the Gonzaga game and that was the best basketball game I’ve ever been to, ever.”

In witnessing a 64-63 Butler buzzer beating victory, Allen went as far to say Hinkle Fieldhouse was ’10 times louder’ than what he experienced during the Colts 30-27 victory over the Packers.

Allen’s affinity to Butler began with his high school team sharing the same Bulldogs nickname. The Colts rookie tight end loves the coaching style of Brad Stevens and even owns his own bulldog.

In less than a year, Allen has been embraced by the Indianapolis community and has returned the favor as one of the most frequent community visitors on the Colts roster.

Indianapolis is Allen’s new home for the foreseeable future and No. 83 could not be any happier to call it just that.

“The people here in Indianapolis and that (Colts) organization is unbelievable, great people,” Allen said.

“The things they do for the community, the way that they treat their players, Mr. Irsay has made Indianapolis feel like home.”