It was fitting that most of Jared Allen’s success in the NFL came as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. After all, the future Hall of Fame defensive end played like a viking for the vast majority of his career, continually dominating opposing offensive linemen with pure strength that resembled the team’s namesake.
After an amazing 12-year career that saw him record 136 sacks en route to five Pro Bowl performances, Allen just recently announced his retirement.
This came after he was traded from the Chicago Bears to the eventual NFC champion Carolina Panthers during the 2015 campaign.
Now, over two years removed from last donning the purple and gold, Allen is coming home. He signed a one-day contract with Minnesota on Thursday, retiring as a member of the very same Vikings team that saw him dominate for so many years.
“We are incredibly proud to have Jared (Allen) retire as a member of the Vikings franchise,” said Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf said, via the team’s official website. “Jared was not only a phenomenal player on the field, but he was also a favorite among the fans and within the organization. He will always be a member of the Minnesota Vikings family.”
Allen recorded 85.5 sacks in six seasons as a member of the Vikings. That came on the heels of him putting up 43 sacks in four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
One of the most-dominant pass rushers of his era, it’s highly likely Allen will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when all was said and done. There’s now little doubt the colors he will be sporting when enshrined into Canton.