Catching Up With Former Viking Jared Allen
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Jared Allen made a name for himself in Minnesota by sacking quarterbacks and having a constant motor playing defensive end for the Vikings.
Now, he's starting a new path with a familiar rival in the Chicago Bears. But Allen's passion for his project "Wounded Warriors" brought him back to Minneapolis last week. WCCO's Mike Max got a chance to catch up with him on several topics.
Allen was on-hand in Minnetrista for the groundbreaking of a home for Colin Faust, who lost both legs under his knee while serving our country.
"It's incredible to get such an incredible gift like this from Jared," Faust said. "I'm just overwhelmed with the generosity he's given me. It's the biggest gift anyone has ever given me. It's great to see someone like Jared use his fame and fortune to do something good in the world."
"It's days like today that make what we do what it's about," Allen said about working with Wounded Warriors. "It's about having a platform to do great things for people. The reason fans are out supporting us is because of things like what Colin does. I play a game, what he does is life and death. It's my patriotic duty that when they come home, if I can help them out, that's what I'm going to do."
Allen is no longer with the Vikings after signing as a free agent with the Bears. He said he enjoyed his six years in Minnesota, but football is a business and everyone has to make decisions.
Allen's Chanhassen home is also on the market, listed at about $1.6 million. He said it hasn't sold, but isn't worried about it.
