Jared Allen's Journey to Immortality

Born on April 3, 1982, in Dallas, Texas, Jared Scot Allen developed into one of the most feared defensive ends of his generation, known for his relentless motor, signature sack celebration, and unparalleled ability to get after the quarterback.

✦ College Career

Allen's football journey began at Idaho State University, where he quickly established himself as a dominant force. Playing from 2000 to 2003, he became a two-time First-team I-AA All-American and a three-time First-team All-Big Sky honoree. In his senior year of 2003, Allen's exceptional performance earned him the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, recognizing him as the top defensive player in Division I-AA football. That season, he recorded an astounding 17.5 sacks, 102 tackles, and 28 tackles for loss, leading Idaho State to its first back-to-back eight-win seasons in school history. He concluded his collegiate career with 38.5 sacks and 250 tackles.

✦ Road to the Pro Game

Despite his impressive collegiate production, Allen was considered an unconventional prospect and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. This relatively late draft position belied the impact he would soon have on the professional game. Allen wasted no time proving doubters wrong, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the Chiefs' defense and demonstrating that his small-school background was no hindrance to his NFL success.

✦ Football Legacy

Jared Allen's NFL legacy is defined by his tenacity, durability, and his almost unparalleled ability to bring down opposing quarterbacks. He was a disruptive force against both the pass and the run, combining raw power with surprising agility. Beyond his on-field performance, Allen was known for his engaging personality and his "sack celebrations," which added a memorable flair to his dominant plays. He retired tied for the NFL record for most career safeties with four, showcasing his ability to make game-changing plays in critical situations. His consistent excellence across multiple teams cemented his status as one of the elite defensive ends of his era, culminating in his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 2025 inductee

✦ NFL Teams Played On:

✦ Kansas City Chiefs (2004–2007)

✦ Minnesota Vikings (2008–2013)

✦ Chicago Bears (2014–2015)

✦ Carolina Panthers (2015)

Career NFL Stats:

✦ Games Played: 187

✦ Total Tackles: 648

✦ Sacks: 136.0 (ranked among the top all-time at the time of his retirement)

✦ Forced Fumbles: 32

✦ Fumble Recoveries: 19 (including 1 defensive touchdown)

✦ Interceptions: 6 (including 1 defensive touchdown)

✦ Pass Deflections: 57

✦ Safeties: 4 (tied for most career safeties in NFL history)

✦ Awards and Honors:

✦ 5x Pro Bowl (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)

✦ 4x First-team All-Pro (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)

✦ 2x NFL Sacks Leader (2007, 2011)

✦ PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team (2004)

✦ Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor

✦ Buck Buchanan Award (2003)

✦ 2x First-team I-AA All-American (2002, 2003)

✦ 3x First-team All-Big Sky (2001, 2002, 2003)

Defensive Jared Allen, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, inked a guaranteed deal worth $15.5 million, which could escalate to over $32 million. Not bad for a 31-year-old.

Allen spent the entire 2014 and part of the 2015 seasons with the Chicago Bears before he finished the year and his brilliant career with the Carolina Panthers. The sack specialist registered 5.5 of his career 136 QB sacks as a member of the Bears.