At the age of eight, Jared Allen told his father he wanted to become a professional football player. His father, Ron, told him that to do so, he needed to eat, sleep, and breathe football until he achieved his goal.

Allen did just that. He went on to become a five-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro selection, finishing his 12-year career in the National Football League with 136 quarterback sacks – the ninth-highest career total in the history of the NFL. He also holds NFL records for safeties (4) and consecutive games with a sack (11).

After being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004, having been acquired primarily for his long-snapping abilities, Allen went to work quickly to carve out a name for himself as a relentless pass rusher. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 and proceeded to dominate the defensive line, becoming one of the most feared competitors to ever play the game. Allen also spent time with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers before riding off into the sunset following Super Bowl 50.

But to those who know him best, Allen will always be the adventurous farm boy who’s persistent enough to live out his dreams, while fearless enough to sport a mullet. Long known for his aggressiveness on the field, Allen is the embodiment of compassion off it, spending time with his wife and daughters, as well as working hard to make a positive difference in the lives of United States military veterans.

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