Minnesota Vikings legend Jared Allen has built an impressive case to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is a finalist to be enshrined for the fifth straight year. But while some players never become finalists, Allen admits that the honor has lost its luster.
Speaking with Kay Adams on the "Up & Adams" show on Monday, Allen admitted he thought it was cool when he was a finalist for the first time in 2020. But after five straight years, he believes his body of work should speak for itself.
“The first time was cool. First time was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ I’ve never been nothing but a finalist, so I don’t really know what those other feelings are like.
First time was cool. Second time, you're expecting to get back there. I thought I was getting [into the Hall of Fame] my second time, and every time after that, I’ve just been like, 'This is stupid.'”
Former Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen has strong case to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Allen has a right to be annoyed with the Hall of Fame selection process. A fourth-round pick out of Idaho State in the 2004 NFL Draft, Allen went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL tallying 136 sacks including 85.5 in six seasons with the Vikings.
Allen’s career also stacks up with some of the greatest pass-rushers in the game. Allen ranks 13th in career sacks since it became an official statistic in 1982 and 16th according to Pro Football Reference’s database that goes back to 1960. It’s also of note that every player ahead of Allen is either in the Hall of Fame or is also a finalist such as former Baltimore Ravens star Terrell Suggs.
Allen also ranked second in sacks during his playing career behind current Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware (138.5) and ahead of another Hall of Famer, Julius Peppers, and that's something he pointed out to Adams on Monday.
“I think [when] you look at everybody I’m surrounded by, nobody did it better than me when I was playing. That’s facts. Nobody had more sacks than me in the 12 years that I played and some guys have multiple, multiple years on me.
So, if I’m not good enough on my resume, then tell me that. Don’t let me in. Kick me off the list.”
Allen sounds fed up with the enshrinement process, but he also admitted he didn’t want to know what went into the process. When Adams suggested politicking for a spot, Allen declined and said he's not going to "kiss the ring," and he is at peace with whatever happens when the class is selected at this year’s NFL Honors in New Orleans on February 6th.
“I control what I can control in life, and that’s not something I can control. I did my work, and I moved forward that way. So, yeah. I don’t know what the deal is. I don’t know how the game is played. I don’t really care to know. I’ve got my personal feelings and it is what it is.”