Jared-Tebow

The Mullet Man is gone.

Jared Allen and the Vikings will part ways in 2014, after his contract expires Tuesday. He came to Minnesota via trade with the Chiefs in 2007. Jared played 6 years in the Purple recording 85.5 sacks. His 128.5 career sacks put him 12th on the all time list.

He was known as a Wild Child in KC. A man who worked hard but also played (too) hard. He got two DUIs in a 5-month span in 2006 and was also suspended for the first four games (reduced to two) of the 2007 season for repeat violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.

That’s why there was some hesitation amongst Vikings fans when we traded a 1st, two 3rds, and swapped 6th round picks for the guy on top of inking him to a 6-year $72.36M contract. That’s a lot of picks/money for a man with past demons.

But JA turned his life around. Stayed out of trouble, got married, and became involved with several charitable organizations. Most notably the Wounded Warrior Project and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

#69 is/was one of my all-time favorite Vikings. He played every game with passion, was elite at his position, and made the game of football fun. Tell me you didn’t smile every time the calf-rope sack dance was busted out!

Plus the average fan might really think that Jared’s alma mater was the Culinary Academy instead of Idaho State.

My favorite memory of JA was when he had to sub in and Long Snap against the Falcons in 2011 after Cullen Loeffler got concussed. Former Viking and fellow defensive end Ray Edwards was on the Falcons at the time. Jared knew of Ray’s propensity to blow up long snappers when given opportunity. So Jared threw down the gauntlet telling Ray, “You run me over here, I’m going to punch you square in your wiener, dude.”

Best. Threat. Ever.

Another line on Jared’s ‘Resume of Awesomeness’ is his cameo in “Jackass 3D”.

Jared will be missed, but a clean slate is best for both sides.

The Vikings are in a full rebuild, will be a few years away from contending, and makes little sense to tie up big money in an aging DE right now, no matter how beloved. Everson was a much better option.

For Jared, it makes sense to get the best deal he can with a contender and try and land a ring or two before he calls it a day and retires to his ranch.

I think a one-two year mercenary deal with Seattle, Denver, or New England would be a great landing spot for him.

So Jared, it’s been real, it’s been fun, and it’s been real fun.

Hopefully you land on an AFC team, rack up 12+ sacks in 2014, and help get your team to the Super Bowl. But once there, I hope you get your a** worked by Matt Kalil! #GoalGlendale

 

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