Jared Allen Finally Lets NFL Trait Go After Retirement as Vikings Legend Gives In to Faith

“My philosophy in life is to always try to be present, be where you’re at, and enjoy that time,” said Jared Allen, the  sack machine who once rode off into retirement on horseback, literally. Snow falling, boots kicking, cowboy hat tilted like a movie scene straight out of Silverado. It wasn’t just a goodbye to football. It was a full-on character exit. The guy who racked up 136 sacks over 12 seasons didn’t just hang it up. He made sure we remember how.

But Allen’s legacy was always bigger than the backfield. For all the mullet-and-boots swagger, he was the guy building handicapped-accessible homes for wounded veterans, visiting troops overseas, and showing up for causes long after the cameras stopped rolling. Teammates felt it. Fans saw it. Now, years removed from the game, Allen has shed something deeper. The NFL warrior mindset that defined him. In its place? A quieter, steadier conviction. One grounded in faith!

Sports Spectrum took to YouTube, highlighting how Jared Allen opened up about the kind of growth that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet. It wasn’t about football. This was soul work. Real-life stuff. In a world where most former pros chase cameras or nostalgia, Allen’s been chasing something else entirely: discipline, clarity, and peace. “I got back into great spiritual disciplines. You know, I used to cuss like a—I’m just going to quit cussing, right? So, you know, trying to quit cussing—next thing you know, I don’t cuss anymore.” It’s a side of Allen most fans never saw when he was chasing quarterbacks on Sundays. But post-retirement, the shift was clear. Allen stopped living for headlines and leaned into a different kind of purpose.

“And then it’s like, well, you know, I’m going to Bible study and I forgot to read the par—like man, I don’t want to be unprepared for Bible study again, right? So I start reading a verse a day, a chapter a day, whatever it is,” he added. From stacking sacks to stacking scripture, he’s stayed consistent. The man, ranked 12th all-time in NFL sacks, was elected for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class and was the only Viking to come that close to Michael Strahan’s single-season record. The same guy who nearly broke Strahan’s mark with 22 sacks in the 2011 season is now prepared for Bible study. That’s growth!

Allen retired on his terms, after signing a ceremonial one-day contract to allow the four-time All-Pro to formally retire as a Minnesota Vikings star, the team where he played six dominant seasons. And though his post-NFL path took some wild turns. His real legacy might be what he’s building now. One small, quiet choice at a time.

Jared Allen’s chasing gold on a new kind of sheet

It’s not enough that Jared Allen conquered the trenches. Now he wants the ice. After retirement, Allen traded shoulder pads for curling stones and set his sights on the Olympics. The whole journey started as a joke. A lost bet over making the PGA Tour sent him down this icy rabbit hole. But it got serious fast. Under the wing of Olympian Jason Smith, Allen’s been learning the angles, the strategy, and the grind. He recently skipped a competition for personal reasons, but don’t let that fool you. The Olympic dream is still alive. And knowing Allen, he’s not showing up to lose.

Of course, Allen isn’t shy when a mic’s in his face. Just ask the Jets. At his Hall of Fame press conference, while hyping the Vikings’ long-standing Super Bowl hopes, he couldn’t resist a shot at his old AFC rivals. “We’re close. And again, I’ll state the obvious. We’ve been close for a long time… But the reality is, too, only one team gets there every year. Right? I’d rather be close than, freaking, who sucks? The Jets? Oh gosh.” Classic Jared. Equal parts conviction and chaos. But behind the humor, there exists gratitude as well.

“I want to take this time to thank my family, friends, fans, and teammates who have given their continued support throughout my 12-year career,” Allen had said in a retirement statement through his agent. “It’s been a great ride for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the memories…” And those memories stretch far beyond sacks. From leading the league twice (2007 [15.5], 2011 [22]) to supporting wounded veterans through his Homes for Wounded Warriors foundation, Allen built a life that mattered both on and off the field, leaving a legacy without ever needing another snap.