Former partner of Josh Allen speaks out about controversial ‘Brain Dead Athlete’ remark that went viral

Following the announcement of the engagement of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen to actress Hailee Steinfeld, a controversial comment emerged from the Instagram account of Allen’s ex-girlfriend, Brittany Williams.

Williams and Allen, who were childhood friends, ended their decade-long relationship in early 2023.  The NFL star later began dating actress Hailee Steinfeld that same year. The couple was first spotted packing on the PDA during a sushi date in New York City in May 2023.

Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld took their relationship to the next level last July, making it Instagram-official after a year of dating.

After Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen announced his engagement to actress Hailee Steinfeld, a controversial comment surfaced on the Instagram account of his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Williams. The comment referred to Allen as a “brain dead CTE athlete.” Williams later claimed her account had been hacked, writing on her Instagram Stories, “My accounts have been hacked several times tonight. Trying to get it resolved.”

The comment appeared in response to a user who mocked Williams’ love life, with her account allegedly replying, “Luckily my boyfriend owns a team and doesn’t play for one. don’t have to be with another brain dead CTE athlete.”

CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a brain disorder characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It is thought to result from repeated head injuries, though research is ongoing to fully understand its causes and effects. CTE has reportedly been identified in the brains of U.S. football players and other athletes involved in high-contact sports like boxing, highlighting the potential risks associated with repeated head trauma.

On Friday, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and “Hawkeye” actress Hailee Steinfeld shared the exciting news of their engagement with a joint Instagram post. The announcement featured a heartfelt photo of Allen down on one knee, proposing to Steinfeld as she lovingly pressed her forehead against his.

The romantic moment took place under an archway adorned with pink flowers on a picturesque waterfront property.

They kept the caption simple yet meaningful, writing, “♾️ 11•22•24 ♾️.”

After months of PDA-filled outings and romantic getaways, the athlete and “Pitch Perfect 2” star officially hard-launched their relationship last July. Josh Allen shared a series of photos on social media, including a sweet shot of the couple posing lovingly in front of the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

In August, one of Josh’s teammates weighed in on his relationship with the Oscar-nominated actress, adding to the buzz surrounding the couple. By Halloween, the duo took their romance to the next level, hosting a circus-themed party at Josh’s home in Buffalo. Dressed as ringleaders, they celebrated with their teammates and partners.

“LET’S GOOOOOO!!” cheered the official Instagram account for the Buffalo Bills in response to Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld’s engagement announcement.

Other notable figures also shared their excitement. Tennis legend Serena Williams commented, “OMG, I love you,” while model Hunter McGrady added, “So gorgeous! Congratulations!!!!” The Bills even shared the couple’s post on their official Facebook page, writing, “Congratulations to Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld on their engagement!!” and included several red and blue heart emojis.

After a year of dating rumors, the couple went Instagram official in July with a subtle post. Allen shared a photo of them gazing at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, along with a shot of a woman walking from behind in a photo slideshow, without tagging Steinfeld. By Halloween, Steinfeld joined in, posting her first photo with Allen as the pair hosted a circus-themed party. While she didn’t tag him, she included a picture of custom napkins reading, “Josh and Hailee’s circus showdown.”

Before their recent social media posts, Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen took a slow and cautious approach to addressing their relationship publicly.

During a 2023 appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, Allen kept things lighthearted when teased about their connection. Co-host Dan Katz playfully asked the quarterback if he was “a fan of Steinfeld,” referencing the actress. Allen quipped, “I don’t know what ‘Steinfeld’ is. The show? Big fan.” However, later in the episode, he casually mentioned having a “girlfriend,” adding fuel to the rumors.

By March 2024, the “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” star joined Allen at his sister’s gender reveal party, solidifying her presence in his inner circle.