From M.M. Robinson HS to the Grey Cup, AJ Allen reflects on his football journey
“Winning the Grey Cup means everything to me,” said AJ Allen, describing the moment as the realization of a dream shaped by years of dedication, sacrifice and perseverance.
A graduate of M.M. Robinson High School, AJ Allen’s success at the professional level builds on a foundation of excellence established during his time as a student athlete. Recognized as both an HDSB Student of Excellence and Athlete of the Year, AJ distinguished himself early through his commitment and drive.
For AJ, the Grey Cup represented the culmination of a goal he had been working toward since the earliest days of his football journey. “It’s what we play for. It’s my goal. It was my dream. It’s everything we as a team worked for and talked about.” said AJ. Every decision and action, he explained, was taken with that single objective in mind — not just during his years as a professional football player, but throughout his entire football career.
AJ described the moment as especially meaningful after years of coming up short. “There’s a saying that at the end of the year, only one team is truly happy,” he said. “For so long, that wasn’t me. I haven’t won in university. I haven’t won in high school. Now it is me, and it is one of the best things I’ve ever experienced in life.”
Looking back, AJ credits his time at M.M. Robinson HS with laying the foundation for both his athletic and personal development. He described those years as a formative period, when students are “easily impressionable” and beginning to figure out who they are, what they value and what they are willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals.
“That’s when everyone is trying to figure out the foundation for their principles,” he said. “For me, those times were the start of those decisions.”
During his time at M.M. Robinson HS, AJ said he learned the importance of surrounding himself with people who aligned with his goals. “I learned early on that you are who you are around,” he said, adding that he also learned it was okay — and necessary — to ask for help from trusted friends and teachers.
Balancing academics, athletics, friendships and deadlines helped prepare him for the realities of life beyond high school. “I learned balance, or at least to try and achieve it,” he said. “I do not think anything will ever be truly balanced, but managing school, friends, deadlines and all the athletics at that time truly teaches you balance.”
Those lessons stayed with him as he moved on to university and eventually to professional sports. AJ said balancing school responsibilities with athletics taught him discipline and time management skills that are essential as a professional. “Without these skills, you will not be successful,” he said. “There is no one else to do it for you.”
He noted that accountability increases at every stage. In high school, teachers help keep students on track. In university and in the professional sphere, the margin for error is smaller. “At this level, you could get fired and lose your job for failure to be reliable,” he said. To stay organized, AJ relies on calendars and schedules to ensure tasks are completed when they are supposed to be.
AJ also emphasized the role of mentors throughout his journey, beginning with his family. “I have to start with my mom and my sister,” he said, before acknowledging a long list of teachers, coaches and support staff who influenced him along the way. One of the individuals AJ recognized was M.M. Robinson HS teacher and football coach Marco Ferrone.
"When AJ was in Grade 12 he asked me to proofread an essay he had written for a class assignment.” Marco recalls. “The topic was where he saw himself in the future. AJ wrote about becoming a professional football player and giving back to his community.”
After graduation, AJ has achieved the goals he set out in that essay. Marco has heard many positive stories about AJ’s community connections. “He represents M.M. Robinson and Burlington so well. It's amazing to see his plan come to fruition through hard work and kindness. It's no wonder that he was our school's Student Excellence Award winner and Athlete of the Year."
For current Halton District School Board students dreaming of professional sports, AJ’s advice centres on decision-making and self-belief. “A good decision is a decision that brings you closer to achieving your goal,” he said. “To achieve them, you need to make sacrifices.”
He encouraged students to focus less on external opinions and more on personal accountability. “Prove yourself right before you prove others wrong,” he said. “Be who you say you are. Are you a smart kid? Prove it to yourself. Are you a good son? Prove it to yourself.”
Above all, AJ stressed the importance of enjoyment. “Make sure to have fun in what you’re doing,” he said. “Don’t let anyone take the fun out of doing what you like to do.”
As for what comes next, AJ said his focus remains on continuing to strive for excellence in every area of his life. “What’s next for me is to do it again,” he said. “Continue to chase greatness in everything I do.”
By doing so, he hopes to inspire others to believe in what is possible. “At the end of the day, I am just a kid from Burlington,” he said. “If I can do it, it’s possible.”
