Jared Allen

Jared Allen is an NFL defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a first team Associated Press All-Pro each year from 2007 to 2009, and he has been to the Pro Bowl three times.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa22.htm

Minnesota acquired Allen in a trade with Kansas City before signing him to a six year contract in April 2008.http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/18092834.html In 2007, Allen requested to be traded out of Kansas City when contract negotiations broke down. According to published reports, team manager Carl Peterson felt Allen wanted too much money, but despite concerns about Allen's off-the-field behavior, they wanted him to remain on the team. Allen had been arrested for driving under the influence multiple times.http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/feb/26/jared_allen_asks_be_traded/

Jared Allen was born on April 3, 1982. Allen decided at an early age that he wanted to play professional football. He was born into a football family, with his father Ron being a college standout and a professional player in the United States Football League. Both of Allen's brothers played college football.http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/ http://www.jaredallen69inc.com/about_us.html

Off the field, Allen is involved in many charitable endeavors. He is active with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Allen's younger brother is in the U.S. Marine Corps and Allen is a long-time supporter of veterans. He started "Jared Allen’s Homes of Wounded Warriors" in 2010. This is a charity that builds handicap-accessible homes for returning veterans. Allen also did a stint with the USO in March 2009, going to Iraq and Africa. Allen was married in the spring of 2010.http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/

2009 Season

Allen ranked second in the NFL with 14.5 sacks. He scored his first defensive touchdown against the St. Louis Rams on October 11 and his second career interception on November 29 against Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Allen was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa22.htm http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/

2008 Season

In his first season with the Vikings, Allen earned a second trip to the Pro Bowl. He was fifth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks, a total led the Vikings. Allen had a season high 2.5 sacks against the Chicago Bears on November 30, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa22.htm http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/

On November 7, 2008, Allen was fined $50,000 for two below-the-knee hits on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. On November 19, Allen was fined another $25,000 for a hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The hit drew a roughing the passer penalty during the game.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3712895

2007 Season

Allen led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 14 games. He was named to his first Pro Bowl as a starter, the first Chief to do that since 1995. Allen was the AFC Player of the Month for October. He caught two passes for touchdowns in short yardage situations in the final month of the season. Allen missed the first 2 games of the season because he was on the NFL’s Reserve/Suspended List.http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJa22.htm

2006 Season

Allen started all 16 games for the Chiefs as well as an AFC playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. He led the NFL with six fumble recoveries and 24 return yards.http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/

2005 Season

Allen led the Chiefs with 11.0 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He led all Kansas City linemen with 76 tackles. Allen posted a career best three sacks and recovered two fumbles against the Washington Redskins on October 16, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/

2004 Season

Allen started in 10 games during his rookie year with Kansas City. He led the team and all rookies with 9.0 sacks in 2004. He earned Kansas City's team honor for top rookie. Allen got his first sack on September 26 when he tackled the Houston Texans' quarterback David Carr.http://www.vikings.com/team/roster/jared-allen/372f18d1-89f3-4118-af8c-0da6bbdb8f66/