Temple University Athletics
TUFF: Allan Haye’s Path Through Faith, Football, and Artistry
10.10.25 | Football
When Temple defensive tackle Allan Haye walks into Lincoln Financial Field on game day, there's a moment that's entirely his. Temple has a tradition called the "Fly-In" where they walk through the tailgating crowd in the parking lot on the way into the stadium. Once through the gates, the team crosses the field on the way to the locker room. Teammates get locked in, and over the loudspeakers Haye hears his own voice echo across the stadium. The Owls march to the locker room to "TUFF," a song Haye wrote and performed in collaboration with teammate Javier Morton.
"It's tough," Haye said with a grin. "It's not guaranteed that your team or coaches are gonna like something you make. So it's special that I can walk into the stadium during home games and hear myself."
That intersection of music, football, and faith defines Haye's journey – a story that began long before Temple.
The Miami native and former University of Miami Hurricane grew up in a Caribbean household where football wasn't exactly encouraged. "I wanted to play football since I was nine," he said, "but my parents are Caribbean, so I couldn't play it at the age I wanted, or at all. They didn't want me to get hurt. It wasn't really their sport."
Initially, Haye channeled his energy into basketball and soccer – a sport that both of his parents grew up playing – but his path shifted after what he describes as a spiritual experience. "I'm not religious, but I'm very spiritual," he said. "I spoke to God, and I had an encounter. I let my mom know about it, and she gave me a chance to go out there and play ball. I'm just glad I got this far."
That faith would later sustain him through one of the most difficult challenges of his life. Early in his time at Temple, Haye suffered a devastating leg injury. One that left him unable to walk, shower, or even move on his own.
"I had to learn how to walk again," he said. "A lot of people had to do stuff for me because I wasn't mobile. When the doctor said I was gonna be okay, the first thing I said was, 'I trust you.' And I was talking to God when I said that."
His recovery was grueling, but he returned stronger both physically and mentally, and the recognition soon followed. In 2025, Haye earned one of Temple's highest honors: a single-digit jersey, given to players who embody toughness and leadership.
"It means a lot," he said. "I don't do what I do for recognition. I just want to win, but when people acknowledge that, it means you're going in the right direction."
That toughness, both literal and symbolic, inspired Haye's song "TUFF," which the team adopted as their walkout anthem.
"The writing process just came from life," Haye explained. "I'll go through stuff, and I'll literally say whatever's happening or what's in my brain. If it rhymes, I write it down."
Haye admits balancing school, football, and music isn't easy, but his priorities are clear. "School comes first, then football, then music," he said. "Music's last, but it's not hard. I just do it when I have free time."
Still, his long-term focus is on football. "My goal is to go to the NFL," he said without hesitation. "That's my number one goal. Music is something I love and would like to have a career in, but football comes first."
That team-first mindset defines how he approaches each day. As a nose tackle, Haye's work doesn't always show up on the stat sheet, but he takes his leadership position seriously and sees his value in how others perform. "I make sure all my teammates know what they're doing and that everybody's playing fast," he said. "I can't do it by myself."
He credits his defensive line room for keeping him grounded. "From Sekou [Kromah] to KJ [Miles], Russ [Sykes], Sultan [Badmus] – every dude in the room is damn near my brother. That's my support system."
Recently, Haye and Kromah appeared on a local radio show to promote Temple football, where the hosts surprised him by playing "TUFF" live on air. "It was real special," he said. "I never imagined that happening. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
For Haye, moments like that are more than publicity. They're proof of how far he's come. From a kid whose parents once feared the game to a leader with a single-digit jersey and a song that echoes through the stadium, his journey is one of resilience, faith, and purpose.
"I just knew I'd be okay," Haye said, reflecting on his road to Temple. "Everything I've been through – it just made me tougher."
