The Minnesota Vikings announced today at training camp that defensive end Jared Allen will be inducted into their ring of honor. Allen showed up to the Vikings training camp today and was surprised with the Vikings highest honor. Minnesota will induct Jared Allen into the ring of honor when they host the Arizona Cardinals on October 30th during halftime.
Allen’s Early Career
Jared Allen began his career began at Idaho State. In 2004, he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (126th overall). He played four years (2004-2007) with the Chiefs. In his four years there he had 200 tackles, 56 tackles for a loss, 43 sacks, 14 force fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and one interception. Allen was an all-pro and selected to the pro bowl in 2007.
Allen’s Career In Minnesota
In 2008 the Minnesota Vikings traded and got Allen in a blockbuster deal. The Vikings sent Kansas City a first and two third round picks in exchange for Jared Allen. Once in Minnesota, Allen went on to have an incredible career. In his six seasons with the Vikings Allen had 246 tackles, 104 tackles for a loss, 85.5 sacks, 16 force fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and two touchdowns. In 2011 Jared Allen set the Minnesota Vikings all time single season sack record with 22 sacks. Allen was an all-pro three times and made the pro bowl four times while in Minnesota. After six seasons in Minnesota Allen spent the last two seasons of his career in Chicago and Carolina before retiring in 2016.
It comes as no surprise to anyone to see Allen get this honor. He is very deserving of this honor as he was such a pillar of the Vikings defense for six years. The four time all-pro and five time pro bowler had such an impactful career at his position and was a nightmare for any opposing offensive line and quarterback. Allen finished with a total of 136 sacks ranking 12th all time, 1.5 sacks behind Vikings defensive tackle John Randle. I am very happy to see Allen get this honor. I can’t wait until October 30th to see his name finally cemented in Vikings immortality.