Washington’s Jonathan Allen Offers Inspirational Advice for Children in Foster Care System

Jonathan Allen is a young hopeful on the Washington Football Team. The defensive tackle was a highly touted prospect in his college days.

A 4-year student, Allen went to Washington as the 17th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, he has tried to make a name for himself. This season, he has been part of a giant-beater Washington Football Team.

Allen spoke on Good Morning Football about his past. Allen was in the foster care system in his early days and talked about his experience within the system.

“It was definitely tough. I thank god that I had my older brother who was seven years older than me, I went through with him. So he definitely made it a lot easier for me. Not everybody in the foster care system has and older brother figure to look up to.”

Allen was asked if he had any advice for the children that are in the system. While he himself is a success story, he knows that children can face challenges. “There’s a couple of things I would say to kids going through it right now.

“Try to find somebody you can trust. And I feel like that is the hardest thing when you’re going through it, it is to trust people. Most of these kids have been hurt in the past, they don’t know who to trust.” 

Jonathan Allen talks challenges of foster care

He added that children are often wary of people in the system, given how poorly they are treated. Therefore, it isn’t easy for them to form connections.

“So normally they just shut people out and become angry and resent people. And that is totally understandable. I would say try to find that one person you connect to & use them as an outlet.”

Allen left the children with a message of hope, and that they can overcome any adversity as long as they set their minds to it. “Also, don’t let this define you.

“These are definitely tough times, and there’s really nothing I can say to make it better, but just having that hope to know things will get better and don’t let this define you. You define yourself through your actions and character will be my biggest advice.”

Allen’s words will serve as a breath of fresh air for a generation that has been bred in great adversity. His career success will serve as a good example for them to draw inspiration from.