On Thursday Night, the NFL announced its 2025 Hall of Fame Class, and included in the four-man selection was former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen. Though he ended his career with the Minnesota Vikings, his accomplishments and personality were legendary in Kansas City.
I’m convinced had then General Manager Carl Peterson handled things better in contract talks with Jared Allen; he would have played his entire career in Kansas City. Allen a fourth-round pick in the 2004 NFL draft. Then Head Coach Dick Vermeil thought he’d be a good long snapper.
Instead, as a rookie, he became a game wrecker and earned the Buck Buchanan award as the Chief’s best rookie that initial season in Kansas City.
I’m entirely biased regarding Jared Allen because we spent much time together during his four seasons in Kansas City. His personality was as vast as the sky, and his heart was even bigger. He also never took himself too seriously and was generally the life-beat of the Chiefs locker room. His Halloween Mankini outfit remains one of the images I’ll never forget covering the Chiefs during the Warpaint Illustrated Days!
He loved his teammates and the city that adopted him, but he didn’t care for management, who viewed him as a player at risk. That, in turn, caused a rift that sent Allen to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008. Though the Chiefs netted a first-round pick and two second-round picks, one of them included Jamaal Charles, Allen should have played his entire career in Kansas City.
Still, he succeeded in Minnesota and ended his career with stops in Chicago and Carolina before retiring in 2016. He ended up with 136 career sacks, and though he only played four seasons in Kansas City, he was as beloved as any character the organization ever produced.
Allen was a true Maverick, led by an incredible spirit, leading him to NFL success. His career was one for the ages, and after several years, he earned his rightful spot in Canton, Ohio!
