Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement is known for his upbeat personality and love of baseball, but there's another sports passion that truly ignites his enthusiasm: the NFL's Buffalo Bills. The Rochester native's fandom reached a thrilling peak recently when he visited the team's facilities and met his athletic idol, quarterback Josh Allen.
A Dream Meeting for a Die-Hard Fan
On a Friday in mid-December 2025, Clement made the trip to Orchard Park, New York, the home of the Bills. The visit, captured and shared on the team's official social media accounts, was a special moment for the Jays player. The highlight was a heartfelt exchange of jerseys with Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, as the Bills prepared for their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns.
In a video produced by the Bills, Clement is seen touring the franchise's new stadium, set to open the following season. When asked which athlete would leave him star-struck, Clement didn't hesitate. "Probably Josh Allen," he responded with a smile.
Mutual Admiration Between Superstar Athletes
Clement, who played a crucial role in the Blue Jays' dramatic run to Game 7 of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, is an unabashed admirer of Allen's talent. "How could you not be with this guy?" Clement said during the visit, prompting a humble "Stop it. Stop it" from the Bills quarterback.
The pair autographed their jerseys for each other. Allen, who was a talented baseball player in high school in California before focusing on football, even noted Clement's jersey number. "Two-two was my favourite count in high school," Allen remarked, referencing the baseball count of 2-2.
A Long-Standing Connection to Toronto Sports
This wasn't Allen's first interaction with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he threw out a ceremonial first pitch when the team was based in Buffalo. Then, in 2023, he took batting practice at Rogers Centre, famously hitting four home runs, an event the Jays celebrated on social media.
Even then, Allen had positive observations about the Jays' clubhouse culture. After his 2023 batting practice session, he told the Toronto Sun, "Just sitting here and talking with the guys, they're so chill and they're so focused... It seems like they've got a good vibe in the locker room, which is very fun to see." He added that as a leader in his own locker room, it was cool to witness the dynamic.
During his December 2025 visit, Clement's experience extended beyond meeting Allen. He also chatted with Bills head coach Sean McDermott in the locker room, addressed the entire team during practice, and met team owner Terry Pegula.
The encounter highlights the crossover appeal of major sports stars in North America and showcases a personal milestone for one of the Blue Jays' most engaging players, bridging the worlds of Major League Baseball and the National Football League.
