From NFL sack leader to competitive curler, the unconventional journey of Jared Allen
In short: Jared Allen retired from a legendary twelve-season NFL career as a five-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer. Yet, instead of fading away, he traded his defensive end pads for curling stones, eventually becoming a business owner in the sport and competing at the national championship level.
Born in Dallas and raised on a California horse ranch, Allen’s path to professional football was far from linear. After being expelled from his first high school for selling stolen yearbooks, he transferred to Los Gatos High School, where he eventually earned accolades that led him to Idaho State University. Despite being projected as a late-round draft pick, the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He quickly established himself as a dominant force, leading the league in sacks in 2007 and signing a massive contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 that set a new financial benchmark for defensive players at the time.
Allen’s career was defined by his relentless pursuit of the quarterback. He recorded 136 career sacks and shares the NFL record for the most career safeties, with four. His tenure with the Vikings included a 2011 season where he set a franchise record with 22 sacks, falling just half a sack short of the all-time NFL single-season record. Beyond his on-field performance, Allen became known for his distinct personality, including his signature mullet and his habit of riding a horse to celebrate major milestones, such as his 2022 induction into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor.
Since retiring in 2016, Allen has channeled his competitive drive into curling. His transition was not immediate success; his early teams struggled to win matches in World Curling Tour events and national qualifiers. However, he persisted, eventually competing in the United States Men's Curling Championship in 2021 and 2024. His commitment to the sport evolved into entrepreneurship when he joined a venture to purchase the Grand Slam of Curling series in 2024. Allen’s post-football life also remains deeply tied to philanthropy, particularly through his organization, Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors, which constructs accessible housing for military veterans.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jared Allen
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