MINNEAPOLIS — When defensive end Jared Allen joined the Minnesota Vikings back in 2008, it was hard not to notice the new face coming around the edge harassing opposing quarterbacks.
His knack for sacks was evident right out of the gates, compiling 14½ in his first season in purple. And if his defensive presence wasn't enough to garner your attention, his calf-roping celebration may have caught your eye.
Now, Allen is hoping his ability to roundup opposing quarterbacks can rope him a golden jacket.
The former All-Pro was selected as a finalist for this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Tuesday.
Allen, a former fourth-round draft pick for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004, recorded 136 sacks in his career, the 12th-most sacks in NFL history.
According to the Minnesota Vikings team website, Allen recorded 85½ sacks in his six season with the Vikings, including a franchise-record 22 sacks in 2011. While Allen came up one sack short of breaking the NFL single-season sacks record in 2011, he did surpass Chris Doleman's team record of 21 sacks set in 1989.
Allen also played an integral part in helping lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship in 2009-10 following a 12-4 season. Minnesota fell one win shy of a Super Bowl appearance that season, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in overtime.
While a Super Bowl championship eluded Allen throughout his career, he still has a chance to add one more accolade to an already impressive football career.
The other finalists in this year's Hall of Fame class are:
- Ronde Barber
- Tony Boselli
- LeRoy Butler
- Alan Faneca
- Torry Holt
- Calvin Johnson
- John Lynch
- Peyton Manning
- Clay Matthews
- Sam Mills
- Richard Seymour
- Zach Thomas
- Reggie Wayne
- Charles Woodson
The voting will take place later this month with the inductees into this year's class being announced during Super Bowl week, according to The Associated Press.
