Jared Allen

Jared Scot Allen is a professional football player currently signed as a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on April 3, 1982 in Dallas, Texas.

Allen was drafted out of Idaho State by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He joined Chiefs defensive crew that ranked at the bottom in that NFL season. Allen quickly became a fixture in the team rebuilding, and by 2007 he had led the NFL in sacks, was elected as starting defensive end for the AFC in the 2007 Pro Bowl and was also named to the 2007 All-Pro team.

On April 22, 2008, Allen was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. As a Viking, he was named to his second Pro Bowl and All-Pro Team.

On October 5, 2009, Monday Night Football game versus the Green Bay Packers, Allen sacked Aaron Rodgers 4.5 times which is a Monday Night Football record.

As a child, Allen competed in several junior rodeos in the calf roping and steer riding events. Allen also grew up reining horses and currently owns three riding horses. Once his NFL career is over, he plans on returning to the rodeo to compete in steer wrestling. His father, Ron, was once on the training camp roster of the Minnesota Vikings.

High School

Allen was one-year letter winner at Los Gatos High School under coach Butch Cattolico, his other 3 seasons spent at a different high school. As a senior he was named First-Team All-League, and he was named Defensive Player of the Year. He was also was a First-Team All-Central Coast Section selection, and he was a member of Who's Who in Sport. Despite what some people think, Allen was not selected to the California All-Star squad for the annual California/Texas All-Star Game. He was however, selected to the North squad for the North vs. South San Jose Charlie Wedemeyer all star football game, after a senior season where he racked up 96 tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. Additionally he was his team's Most Valuable Player.


College Career

Allen started 33 of 41 games during his career at Idaho State University. The three-time All-Big Sky Conference selection finished his career with 250 tackles, 38.5 sacks, 73 stops for losses, seven fumble recoveries, three touchdowns, 13 forced fumbles, three interceptions, 26 pass deflections, and one blocked kick.

As a freshman in, 2000, Allen was originally slated to redshirt the season, but proved to be too good to sit for the year eventually played in eight games for the Bengals, and without any starts, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors. In 2001 Allen earned First-team All-Big Sky honors and led the Bengals with 16 tackles for loss and he also registered 6.5 sacks. As a junior in, 2002, Allen was named Second-team Division 1-AA All-American by the Associated Press and was also named First-team All-Big Sky for the second consecutive season, he led the team in sacks, tackles for loss with 18, and he led all Bengal lineman with 63 tackles.

In 2003, as a senior, Allen was the Buck Buchanan Award winner, recording 17.5 sacks, 102 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles, and nine pass deflections during 2003, ranking among the Big Sky Conference leaders in several defensive categories. Allen, a First-team Division 1-AA All-America choice and First-team All-Big Sky for the third straight season, led ISU to an 8-4 record this season, helping the school post its first back-to-back eight win seasons in school history. Idaho State finished the regular season ranked No. 21 in the nation.


Professional Career

Kansas City Chiefs

Allen was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft and signed a three-year, $1.24 million contract. Allen quickly became a fixture in rebuilding a Chiefs defense that ranked near last in the NFL.

In the NBC Sunday Night Football player introductions on December 17, 2006, Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers game, in a tradition carried over from Monday Night Football where the starters introduce themselves with name and school attended, Jared Allen said, "Home School, Thanks mom." Al Michaels, who serves as one of the play-by-play announcers, points out that Allen went to Idaho State University, but adds, "that's the first time we've had one of those." On NBC Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears on November 30, 2008, Allen pulled a similar joke. During player introductions, Allen stated that he went to 'culinary academy.' However Jared did attend public school. Jared went to high school in Morgan Hill, California at Live Oak High School for his sophomore and junior years. He then attended Los Gatos High School his senior year.

On May 21, 2007, Allen-a restricted free agent, signed the Chiefs' one-year tender offer of $2.35 million for the 2007 season. Allen credited his early 2007 season success to his mullet. With every quarterback sack Allen makes, he will shave a "racing stripe" into his hairstyle. On December 2, 2007, Allen caught a touchdown pass against divisional rival San Diego. On December 23, 2007, Allen caught another touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions.

Allen was elected as starting defensive end for the American Football Conference in the 2007 Pro Bowl. He led the NFL in sacks (15.5) for 2007. Allen was also selected All-Pro team for 2007.

In February, 2008, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Allen giving him a one-year, $8.8 million salary for 2008.


Minnesota Vikings

On April 22, 2008, the Chiefs traded Allen to the Minnesota Vikings. In exchange, the Vikings sent to the Chiefs a first round pick, which they used to select OT Branden Albert, and two third round picks and swapped sixth round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Vikings then signed Allen to a six year contract, which at the time was the richest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. Allen is due an $8 million roster bonus in 2010 per the six-year, $72.36 million contract he signed with the Vikings. The bonus is guaranteed for injury only. Allen's signing bonus is $15.5 million.

Through the 2008 season, Allen recorded 54 tackles including 14.5 sacks, with 3 forced fumbles while battling both knee and shoulder injuries throughout the season. He was named First-team All-Pro and selected to his second Pro Bowl. His first sack as a Viking was against the Colts when he sacked quarterback Peyton Manning. In his first playoff game as a Viking, Allen recorded 3 tackles along with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Allen also forced a safety when he chased Dan Orlovsky out of the end zone during a Lions game. He also forced another safety in week 10 game against Green Bay Packers, when he sacked Aaron Rodgers in the end zone.

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has addressed the arrival of quarterback Jay Cutler to the NFC North; "Twice a year, I'm gonna peel the back of his head off the turf. I love the guy but business is business" Allen recently said while interviewed backstage at the ACMs.

Allen serves as an advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and raises funds through his "Sack Diabetes" program. Allen was also an active role model in the JDRF's Children's Congress 2009.

Allen is an avid hunter and has interviewed with Field & Stream. He was among four NFL players that were sent overseas on a NFL-USO tour to visit with U.S. military troops. Jared Allen on coming on this NFL-USO tour: "It has been one of the best experiences of my life -- something that I'll never forget. We as players probably get more out of it than you do as soldiers and Marines."

He also has his own clothing line called Jared Allen Sixty Nine Inc.