BUFFALO, NY—The announcement of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s engagement to longtime girlfriend Hailee Steinfeld has sent shockwaves through Western New York, leaving a trail of bewildered, straight men in its wake. Bars across the region buzzed with disbelief Tuesday as grown men in jerseys of their childhood idols muttered variations of, “I thought we had something special.” Despite being neither romantically interested in Allen nor having met him personally, many expressed an oddly personal sense of betrayal. “I’ve been cheering for him since day one,” lamented Joe Martino, a 36-year-old drywall installer from Cheektowaga. “You don’t just throw that kind of loyalty away.”

Experts attribute the reaction to a deep-seated sense of regional camaraderie and, possibly, a lack of other hobbies. “For many men in this area, Josh Allen isn’t just a quarterback; he’s a lifestyle,” explained local sports psychologist Dr. Tanya Kramer. “His success, his humble origins—it’s like he’s dating all of Buffalo by proxy.” Indeed, Allen’s every touchdown, gritty run, or unintentional misstep has been celebrated as a collective victory for the city. “We stuck by him during the turnovers,” said Martino, shaking his head. “And this is how he thanks us?”

The engagement announcement, which came via an Instagram post featuring Allen on one knee against a picturesque backdrop, has reportedly sparked a surge in gym memberships and elaborate haircut requests at local barbershops. “I’ve got until next season to get my life together,” said Bills Mafia Member Kyle Reardon. “I didn’t realize my love for Josh Allen was actually romantic until I saw the post but now I’ve got to get in shape, divorce my wife, and convince QB1 to leave Hailee for me.”