Jared Allen is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was born on April 3, 1982, in Dallas, Texas, and attended Los Gatos High School in California. Allen played college football at Idaho State University, where he was a standout defensive end and earned All-American honors.
In 2004, Allen was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers, recording nine sacks in his rookie season. Over the next six seasons with the Chiefs, Allen continued to dominate on the field, earning four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors.
In 2008, Allen was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where he would spend the next six seasons of his career. He continued to be a dominant force on the field, recording double-digit sacks in five of his six seasons with the team. In 2011, he set a Vikings franchise record with 22 sacks in a single season, falling just half a sack short of the NFL record.
Allen's success on the field earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s, and he was also named to the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019. In addition to his individual accomplishments, Allen was a key contributor to several successful teams throughout his career, including the 2006 Chiefs and the 2009 Vikings, both of which made it to the playoffs.
In 2014, Allen signed with the Chicago Bears, but he played just one season with the team before announcing his retirement from the NFL in 2015. Over the course of his career, Allen recorded 136 sacks, which ranks him ninth on the NFL's all-time list. He also forced 32 fumbles, recovered 19 fumbles, and intercepted three passes.
Off the field, Allen was known for his colorful personality and his charitable work. He was a finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2014, and he founded the Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors foundation, which builds and remodels homes for injured veterans.
Overall, Jared Allen's football career was marked by his dominance on the field and his contributions to the teams he played for. He was one of the most feared pass rushers of his era, and his impact on the game will be felt for years to come.
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