Vikings News: Jared Allen says he will represent Minnesota in Hall of Fame

Jared Allen kicked off the week by providing some good Minnesota Vikings news that he will represent the team when he enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Prior to arriving to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008, Jared Allen had already experienced some success during his first few seasons in the NFL. But once he put on the purple and gold, Allen’s level of play elevated to an entirely different level.

During his six years with Minnesota, the talented defensive end earned four trips to the Pro Bowl, three First-Team All-Pro selections, and he racked up a total of 85.5 sacks. The Vikings have had a number of elite pass rushers suit up for them in their history and Allen ranks right near the top with some of the best to ever step on the field for the franchise.

It’s been almost five years since Allen last appeared in an NFL game and he’s about to become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

With other nominees set to appear on the ballot for the first time next year that includes Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, and Calvin Johnson, it’s possible that the former Minnesota defensive end will have to wait a bit before he gets his spot in Canton.

Whenever Allen does end up getting voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame though, he revealed that he will do it as a member of the Vikings. The former pass rusher shared this info during an appearance on Minnesota’s KFAN radio on Monday.

"“I’m a Viking, I’ll go in (to the Pro Football Hall of Fame) as a Viking. The Vikings have my heart.”"

This shouldn’t be too surprising to anyone. The best years of Allen’s NFL career were spent in Minnesota and it’s the team almost everyone associates him with whenever his name is brought up.

In addition to his skills on the field, Allen was an entertaining off-the-field personality as well during his tenure in the league. Currently, he’s still training to qualify the 2022 Winter Olympics in curling.

Allen was around for some of the best and worst Vikings moments from the 21st century. But it didn’t matter how much Minnesota was struggling during a given season, he always gave it his all and it’s why he will one day be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hopefully, his bust comes complete with a mullet and a horseshoe mustache.