Former NFL superstar edge rusher Jared Allen is trying to resume his life as a professional athlete…this time in a completely different sport.
Speaking to Christian Arnold of the New York Post, the former Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings superstar revealed that he has taken up curling, with the goal of competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
“I read the rules of curling, it was like the winners have to buy the losers beer. Most people start in their 40s, I was like, ‘Right up my alley’…
“You look at it and people go, oh it’s like shuffleboard on ice. I think for me, the strategic part was something that was very interesting. Obviously the physical side, I can learn physical things…
“But the dynamic of how to determine how hard to throw, tracking ice conditions, paying attention to all those little things … all the minute angles that go into it, that’s where I think the sport is really fun, and that’s where I think you see the best teams are the most consistent teams.”
Allen’s curling career actually began thanks to a wager he made with a companion. Allen told the outlet that the bet was for him to qualify for a PGA Tour event, but the legendary story of “Eddie the Eagle” inspired the five-time Po Bowler to try out an Olympic sport.
Allen competed in the U.S. National Championships last year and was set to compete in this year’s event as well, but personal reasons prompted him to pull out.
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The 41-year-old led the NFL in sacks during the 2007 and 2011 seasons. He also played for the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers at the end of his career.
