Jared Allen and Kevin Williams: “First Person Who Cries Gets A Gut Punch”

Nov 11, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams (93) celebrates his sack of the Detroit Lions quarterback with defensive end Jared Allen (69) at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The final days as Minnesota Vikings for defensive end Jared Allen and defensive tackle Kevin Williams may be coming to an end.  Both are scheduled to be free agents after this season and both will most likely test out free agency to get an idea of their value at their respective ages.  Still, both Allen and Williams are emotional about possibly leaving the Vikings, but a small wager shows that they’re not willing to let it show.  Well, at least not in public.

"“The first person who cries gets a gut punch,” Williams said jokingly"

Williams may be joking, but Allen knows that his emotions may get the best of him after today’s game against the Detroit Lions in the season and Metrodome finale.

"“I joked with him, I don’t want anybody crying around here on Friday or Saturday,” Allen said. “But we’ll enjoy it when the time is right. After the game, that’s the time to get sentimental.”"

Allen and Williams aren’t the only ones saddened by their likely departure.  Star running back Adrian Peterson expressed his concern about losing to of the best locker room guys on the team.

"“It’d be tragic,” Adrian Peterson said. “Great players, man. Guys that go out there and are great leaders.  It’d be a tough blow to lose those two guys.”"

Not only is it likely that Williams and Allen will play their last game as Vikings, but it could also be their last game together as teammates.

"“We’re very close,” Williams said. “We’ve done our best playing together, and we’ve grown as football players. I’ll leave it to others to rank us, but I think we just love playing the game.  It could very well be the last time me or him play for the Vikings, so it’s coming to an end possibly. You’re going to have some feelings.”"

Jared Allen want their possible final game as Vikings to be something memorable and special.

"Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) celebrates his sack during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports“I’d be lying if I said I don’t think about it, but it’s not what’s on my mind right now,” Allen said. “I’ve got to prepare for this game. I’m trying to go out the way I want in this Metrodome and have this last game be something special. Kevin and I talked about it earlier this week, saying we just want to let loose and make it a game to remember.”"

Recently, Kevin Williams has spoken with Vikings management and said on Thursday that he will continue to express to management that he wants to play with the Vikings and retire as a member of the team.

Jared Allen hasn’t expressed the same.  At least not publicly.  But he did go on record as saying that the media is assuming too much regarding his future with the team.

"Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) celebrates his sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports“No disrespect to (the media), but you guys put a lot of words in everybody’s mouth,” Allen said. “I’ve said all along, I’ll cross that bridge when it comes. Me and the Vikings have been on the same page. … I’m not naive to the point that I don’t understand the business side of this or understand the trends that have happened in the past. So I understand, and they understand I’ve got a decision to make, too. So, when the time’s right, we’ll sit down and see how it plays out.”"

Both are excellent players and have contributed a lot to the Minnesota Vikings franchise as a whole.  Even if they decide to move on from the team, they deserve respect for their accomplishments and contributions to the team.  Hopefully, they will both be back, but we won’t know for sure until we find out what happens this offseason.