For over a decade, pass rusher Jared Allen ranked among the best in the NFL, leading the league in sacks twice and enjoying seven straight seasons of 11 sacks or more. But in the years since his 2015 retirement, Allen is starting to get a little frustrated that Canton hasn’t come calling.
Appearing on Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich, Allen said that it infuriated him that he didn’t get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 this year as he thought for sure he’d make it this year. He lamented that the Hall of Fame voters might not like him for non-football reasons.
“I’d be lying to say that it didn’t (expletive) me off, that I didn’t get in. I thought I’d get in on my second year, third year, last year I thought I was in for sure, it didn’t work out. It sucks when it doesn’t happen, but I don’t put my stock into it after that. I say my piece and move on. I got no control over it,” Allen said, via Fox News.
“My career speaks for itself. Whether the voters like me or dislike me, I got no control over that… The Hall of Fame should be based on the merit of what I accomplished on the field. That’s kind of the approach I take, it’s not going to make me or break me.
“I didn’t set out to play this game with my only goal to be a Hall of Famer. Obviously, there’s no greater honor than that.”
Allen’s career accomplishments include 136 sacks, which is 12th in NFL history and more than fellow pass rusher Dwight Freeney, who was inducted on the second ballot. He was a four-time First-Team All-Pro selection, a five-time Pro Bowler and the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.
Do you believe Allen got unfairly snubbed?