Former NFL star Jared Allen was inspired by the story of British ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards to take up curling – an Olympic sport he saw as one of the weaker ones in the US – for a bet with a friend. The Eagle had made a name for himself by persevering until he made it to the 1988 Winter Olympics, despite finishing last in his events. After viewing a biopic about the Eagle’s life, Allen formed the All-Pro Curling Team with three other former NFL players – quarterback Marc Bulger, linebacker Keith Bulluck and offensive tackle Michael Roos – and aimed for participation in the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. However, they didn’t qualify for the 2022 Games.
Even with his team splitting up and an unforeseen rule change impacting Olympic trial qualifications, Allen hasn’t given up on his Olympic dream. He plans to continue practicing with a new team for The Challenger – a curling competition – and see if he can still qualify for future games.
During his football career, Allen had been a key player for various teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers. With the Vikings in 2009, he almost led the team to an NFL Championship but they were defeated by the New Orleans Saints. In 2015, despite it being his least productive statistical year due to injuries, he joined the Panthers and helped the team make it to Super Bowl 50, which they lost to the Denver Broncos. Allen has been a finalist for the NFL Hall of Fame for the past four years.
Allen is remembered for many highlights in his football career, one of the most infamous being when he was gaining on the player who mistakenly ran out of the end zone, which would have resulted in a sack and safety for Allen. His charm and everyman appeal have also led him to off-field experiences like filming a segment for Jackass 3, during which he accidentally caused an injury to Johnny Knoxville.
This Sunday, Allen will be inducted into the London Ring of Honor during the game between the New York Jets and Minnesota. He’ll also be reuniting with former teammates and hopes to share the sights of London with his family. Despite being removed from professional football, he’s still very much attentive to it and appreciates the current Minnesota team’s aggressive gameplay and successful player acquisitions.
Allen’s story draws a parallel between two seemingly disparate sports – American football and curling. His journey from being an NFL star to becoming a hopeful curler, all inspired by the charmingly unconventional story of a British ski jumper, is a testament to his sportsmanship and willingness to take on challenges. Though his professional football career has passed and his curling future remains uncertain, he continues to be a figure that embodies both the competitive and fun-loving spirit of sports.
