Jared Allen didn’t get to end his NFL career with a victory – but he still managed to ride off into the sunset. Nearly.
Two weeks after ending up on the losing side in the Super Bowl, the Carolina defensive end chose to announce his retirement in grandiose fashion: with a video that befits his status as a 12-year stalwart in America’s biggest sports league.
Dressed in a sheepskin coat, a black cowboy hat, and perched on top of a horse, Allen, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, says thanks for all the good times – and then rides off into the sunset. (Allen acknowledges there isn’t a sunset, but no matter: the metaphor holds.)
Riding off into the sunset pic.twitter.com/wZXovseGKS
— Jared Allen (@JaredAllen69) February 18, 2016
“Hey everyone, I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,’’ Allen says in the video. “This is the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing how there’s no sunset, I’m just going to ride off.’’
Allen then waves to the camera, turns, and rides away through the snow.
Afterwards, Allen did release a statement through his agent, Ken Harris: “I want to take this time to thank my family, friend, fans and teammates who have given their continued support throughout my career. It’s been a great ride for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the memories. It is with a great deal of thought and consideration that I have decided that I will not return to football next year.
“I want to thank the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs organizations, who provided me with an opportunity to live out my dream and to be a part of their wonderful communities. Thanks for the life long memories.’’
Allen played in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos with a broken right foot – but couldn’t stop the Panthers falling to a 24-10 loss.
Coach Ron Rivera hinted afterwards that Allen, 33, might have played his last game.
Allen was at his best during the 2011 season at Minnesota with a league-leading 22 sacks. He had 11 sacks or more in eight of his 12 seasons. At Carolina, however, Allen accepted being a part of a four-player rotation.
“At the end of the day, you play this game to win a Super Bowl, to win championships,” said Allen, who hadn’t been to a Super Bowl before this season. “It’s a team-game sport. Since I’ve come to this locker room, it’s really enhanced what this game is about. You can get in so many [situations] and it’s about your individual success.”
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