Former Minnesota Vikings‘ defensive end Jared Allen was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of the team’s Week 8 game vs the Arizona Cardinals game, making him the 27th member of the franchise. He was given a ring and a purple jacket, representing the team’s official colors. 

Also Read: Jared Allen rides in on horse for Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor induction: Watch

Who is Jared Allen?

Jared Allen is a former American football player who played for 11 seasons in the National Football League. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears before retiring with the Carolina Panthers in 2015.

Allen was born on April 3, 1982 in Dallas, Texas and played football for the Idaho State Bengals at Idaho State University, where he started 33 of 41 games. He had three touchdowns, 13 forced fumbles, three interceptions, 250 tackles, 38.5 sacks, 73 stops for losses, seven fumble recoveries, 26 pass deflections, and one blocked kick by the time his college career was over.

NFL Career: 

After getting drafted by the Chiefs in 2004, Allen played 15 games in his rookie season, starting 10 of them, and recording 9 sacks on 31 tackles. Allen had 55 tackles, 11 sacks, 5 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries in his second year in 2005 while playing in all 16 games, starting 15 of them.

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Allen had 77 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 interception, 10 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, and 6 fumble recoveries in 16 games played in 2006. As a restricted free agent, Allen agreed to the Chiefs’ $2.35 million one-year tender offer on May 21, 2007.

Allen was traded by the Chiefs to the Minnesota Vikings on April 22, 2008, along with two third-round picks and a first-round pick. Allen was subsequently signed by the Vikings to a six-year, $72.36 million deal, which at the time was the highest defensive player contract in NFL history.

After compiling 54 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 enforced safeties in 2008, he was named First-team All-Pro and chosen for his second Pro Bowl. Despite spending only six seasons with the team, he amassed 22 sacks in 2011 to set a franchise record that still stands.

By sharing a video of himself riding his horse “into the sunset” on his Twitter account on February 18, 2016, Allen made his retirement announcement. In order to end his career as a Viking, Allen signed a one-day contract with Minnesota on April 14, 2016.