Jared Allen forms curling team with other ex-NFL players, eyeing 2022 Olympics

Jared Allen may no longer be giving NFL quarterbacks nightmares with his rare pass-rushing ability, but the former defensive end has found a new sport and is looking to once again compete at the highest level.

Allen and three other former NFL players — quarterback Marc Bulger, linebacker Keith Bulluck and offensive tackle Michael Roos — formed a curling team back in March. They’re calling themselves the All-Pro Curling Team, and their new hobby is much more than just that. The foursome is competing this week at the USA Curling Men’s Challenge in Blaine, Minn., and they want to eventually qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“The entire (curling) community — every team we play — has been very, very welcoming,” Allen told CNN’s Patrick Snell on Thursday. “They realize we’re laughing, we’re joking … but we’re not doing this in a disrespectful manner.”

Allen said that while he and his teammates are clearly having fun, they know what they’re doing. They know the proper techniques of curling and other curlers are taking note.

“We are progressing in a manner that people — the comment we get is, ‘How long have you been doing this? You’ve been doing this for how long?’ and then they’re shocked at where we’re at in such a short time that we’ve been doing it,” Allen added. “So we’ve got to build on that.”

Allen said the idea came up when he made a friendly bet with a friend that he could become an Olympian. He then began recruiting others, and Bulluck said it took barely any convincing. Bulluck had curled before for fun and said he enjoyed drinking beers while doing it, so he joked that “I guess I’m here for the beer.”

The All-Pro Curling Team has a long way to go before they get close to competing at the Olympic level, but you have to admire the dedication. Plenty of star athletes have considered trying to compete in the Olympics after they retire, but most of them don’t end up following through.

Jared Allen signs one-day contract with Minnesota, will retire a Viking

Tell the world: Jared Allen is coming home.

According to a report by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports on Thursday, the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end has signed a one-day contract in Minnesota to retire as a Viking. Allen’s last NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, are said to have helped set up the move.

Jared Allen has signed a one-day retirement contract with the Vikings according to his agent, Ken Harris. Panthers helped facilitate move

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 14, 2016

Allen, 34, announced his retirement from the NFL in February after a stellar 12-year career (and did so in fantastic fashion to boot). It’s a fitting end for a player who spent his prime years in Minnesota, making four Pro Bowls, earning three First Team All-Pro selections, and once leading the league in single-season sacks during his time there from 2008 to 2013.

One of the most explosive outside pass rushers in recent memory, Allen is likely to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in due time and has officially solidified himself as a Minnesota sports legend.

H/T Rotoworld

Jared Allen announces retirement in awesome video

Jared Allen announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday in fantastic fashion.

Allen, who appeared in 12 games with the Carolina Panthers last season, recorded a video that he shared on Twitter in which he was planning to ride off into the sunset. Unfortunately, there was no sunset.

Riding off into the sunset pic.twitter.com/wZXovseGKS

— Jared Allen (@JaredAllen69) February 18, 2016

“Hi everyone, I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,” Allen said. “This is the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing as how there’s no sunset, I’m just gonna ride off.”

That will be tough for anyone to top.

Allen, who spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, saw his career come to a disappointing end when his team lost in the Super Bowl. He ranks ninth all time for career sacks and is a strong bet to make the Hall of Fame.

Unlike that retirement video we saw years ago from this NBA star, it doesn’t appear that Allen’s brilliant message was part of a sponsorship deal. For that, we applaud him.

Jared Allen unhappy after being ruled out for NFC championship

Jared Allen has been ruled out of the NFC championship game, and he’s not thrilled about it.

Allen, who has been nursing a broken bone in his foot, was ruled out of Carolina’s game against Arizona on Friday. He told reporters that he was, not surprisingly, unhappy with the decision.

Jared Allen on not playing: "Not happy, plain and simple. I'm ready to rock. Coach's decision, gotta live with it."

— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 22, 2016

Asked if he thinks he could be effective vs. Cardinals, Allen said, "100 percent."

— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 22, 2016

Allen says he respects Ron Rivera and respects his decision. Doesn't agree with it. Says he hopes he'll be active if CAR makes Super Bowl.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 22, 2016

Rivera told Allen Friday am he wouldn't play. Tried to argue his case. Rivera's concern all week was being down a pass-rusher if reinjury.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 22, 2016

Allen has been listed as doubtful all week. This really doesn’t come as a surprise, much as Allen tried to fight it. At least he handled it better than this player did when he found out he was inactive for a playoff game.

Jared Allen suffers foot injury during win over Seahawks

Jared Allen suffered a foot injury during the Carolina Panthers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but that does not mean he will be out for the conference championship game.

The Charlotte Observer’s Jonathan Jones shared the first reports about Allen’s injury. Jones says the Panthers have some hope that Allen will be able to play next weekend.

I'm told Panthers DE Jared Allen suffered a foot injury that will likely require surgery and end his season.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 17, 2016

There's a sliver of hope that he can play through it. X ray tomorrow will tell more. But there's more concern than optimism

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 17, 2016

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that Allen broke a small bone in his foot. Like Jones, Rapoport says Allen plans to keep playing.

Allen was credited with three quarterback hits in Carolina’s 31-14 win over Seattle.

Brian Urlacher personally endorsed Jared Allen to Ron Rivera

The Carolina Panthers acquired Jared Allen from the Chicago Bears in a trade this week, and one former player gave the move his seal of approval.

Brian Urlacher, an 8-time Pro Bowler who competed against Allen in the NFC North for several years, texted Panthers head coach Ron Rivera to endorse Allen.

Brian Urlacher texted Ron Rivera and said of Jared Allen: "Coach, you're going to like this guy."

— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 30, 2015

Rivera was Urlacher’s defensive coordinator with the Bears from 2004-2006, which probably explains how/why they are on a texting basis. And though Allen’s play has fallen off — he only had 5.5 sacks last year compared to 11.5 the year before — the Panthers could use his help now that Charles Johnson is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Rivera is tentatively planning to play Allen 35-40 snaps per game at the right defensive end spot.

Bears trade Jared Allen to Panthers

The Chicago Bears have agreed to trade defensive end Jared Allen to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional draft pick, according to a report from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

The Panthers, who lost defensive lineman Greg Hardy this past offseason and could be without defensive end Charles Johnson in Week 4 because of a hamstring injury, are in need of help along their front seven.

While Allen isn’t nearly as explosive as he once was, the 32-year-old will still bring a veteran presence and is incredibly durable. He has hardly missed a game during his 12-year NFL career. Allen had recorded five tackles and an interception in three games with Chicago this season. He has 134 career sacks.

The risk for Carolina is minimal, as the Bears have already paid Allen more than $11 million this season. The Panthers owe him just $882,000 for 2015.

The good news for Allen is he probably won’t be caught on camera saying anything like this while in Carolina. While their defense has had a few issues in recent years, it isn’t nearly as bad as the one he used to play for.

Photo: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports