Buffalo Bills Sign Running Back James Cook to Contract Extension

**James Cook** (1728–1779) was a British Royal Navy officer, explorer, and cartographer who became one of history's most celebrated maritime explorers. Born in Marton, Yorkshire, Cook rose through the naval ranks, achieving promotion to ship's master at age 29.[1] During the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), he gained valuable experience commanding vessels and surveying strategically important coastlines, including the St. Lawrence River and the northeast Atlantic seaboard.[2][5] Cook's most significant contributions came through three major Pacific expeditions between 1768 and 1779. On his first voyage (1768–1771) aboard the HMS Endeavour, he observed the transit of Venus in Tahiti, then charted New Zealand with remarkable accuracy and explored the east coast of Australia.[1][2] He completed the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand's main islands and claimed the surveyed Australian coast as British territory, naming it New South Wales.[1][2] During this voyage, the Endeavour struck the Great Barrier Reef, forcing Cook to beach and repair the vessel at what became known as Cooktown.[2] On his second expedition (1772–1775) commanding the HMS Resolution, Cook searched for the fabled "Southern Continent" (Terra Australis) by crossing the Antarctic Circle multiple times. He became the first person to cross both the Arctic and Antarctic Circles and disproved the continent's existence.[2][3] He also charted Easter Island, Tonga, New Caledonia, and the South Sandwich Islands.[3] His third voyage (1776–1779) aimed to locate the Northwest Passage. Cook explored the coasts of present-day Oregon and Alaska, reaching Cape Prince of Wales and Icy Cape before returning to the Hawaiian Islands, which he named the Sandwich Islands.[4][5] Cook died on February 14, 1779, during a skirmish with Hawaiian islanders at Kealakekua Bay.[3] Beyond exploration, Cook pioneered scurvy prevention through dietary measures including sauerkraut and citrus, earning the Royal Society's Copley Gold Medal.[1][3] His voyages produced the first accurate maps of the Pacific and are credited with providing more geographical knowledge than perhaps any other explorer in history.[3]

Josh Allen, born May 21, 1996, in Firebaugh, California, is a professional American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. Raised in a farming family, Allen emerged as a talented athlete at Firebaugh High School but did not receive Division I scholarship offers initially. He began his college football career at Reedley College before transferring to the University of Wyoming, where he developed a reputation for a strong arm and dual-threat ability despite some early challenges and injuries. Allen was selected seventh overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft. Early in his career, he struggled with passing accuracy, ranking near the bottom of the league in completion percentage during his first two seasons. However, after dedicated offseason work with coaches and a personal quarterback coach, Allen dramatically improved his accuracy and overall play. His breakout season in 2020 saw him throw for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns with a 69.2% completion rate, the largest three-year improvement in NFL history for a quarterback. He led the Bills to their first AFC Championship Game since 1993 but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs. By 2023, Allen had established himself as one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks, setting multiple franchise records and earning Pro Bowl selections. Known for his powerful arm and mobility, he holds records such as the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season and four consecutive seasons with over 40 total touchdowns. Despite regular season success and multiple playoff appearances, including dominant performances in wild card games, the Bills under Allen have yet to secure a Super Bowl appearance, facing repeated playoff losses to teams like the Chiefs. Off the field, Allen gained media attention early in his career due to controversial social media posts from high school for which he apologized. He remains a central figure in Buffalo's quest for NFL championship success and is widely regarded for his leadership and athleticism. As of late 2025, Allen continues to be a key player for the Bills, maintaining strong performance and fan support.