If only for one day.
"I can now say that I'm a Viking for the remainder of my time here on earth."
-Jared Allen
Jared Allen is back with the Minnesota Vikings. For one more day. Allen signed a one day contract
yesterday so that he could officially retire as a Vikings. It was a nice move by a terrific football player. He was a fan favorite from the moment the Vikings landed him in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008 to the day that he sadly left as a free agent in 2014. He won over fans with his humor, enthusiasm, hustle, and pass-rushing talent.
“We are incredibly proud to have Jared retire as a member of the Vikings franchise,” said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. “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 was named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings after only a handful of seasons in Minnesota. That was a testament to his popularity as well as his great play on the field. He ranks third on the Vikings all-time sack list with 83.5 sacks. In 2011 he recorded a franchise record 22 sacks, finishing a measly half sack short of Michael Strahan's NFL record of 22.5. Allen's four career safeties is tied for the most in NFL history.
As a member of the Carolina Panthers, Allen's last game was the Super Bowl. That's a great way to end an NFL career. He didn't win. And it wasn't with the Vikings. But it has to be great that his last game was THE game.
The terrific statistics tell only a partial story of Jared Allen's six years in Minnesota. He brought personality to game that's often lacking one. He was a big goof. He poked fun at himself. He was simply a fun football player to watch. And he sacked the quarterback a lot. His one day signing is purely ceremonial but it's a fantastic gesture to all of the people that loved watching that crazy man play football. Now he can ride off into the sunset as a Minnesota Viking.
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