Former Viking Allen Announces Retirement

Former Minnesota Vikings star defensive end Jared Allen announced his retirement in exactly the way fans would have expected him to.

In a video on his Twitter feed, Allen announced his retirement while seated on a horse and then, after announcing he is done with professional football after a 12-year career, he literally "rode off into the sunset." Actually, since there was no sunset at the time, he simply rode off, away from the camera.

Allen spent six seasons with the Vikings, recording 85.5 sacks during his time in Minnesota. He was also selected to four Pro Bowls during his time here. He was a strong leader both on and off the field.

His last game was this year's Super Bowl, where his Carolina Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos 24-10. Allen recorded on tackle during the game. He had been slowed by a foot injury he sustained a few weeks before the big game.

Always the cowboy, and always the showman -- as his "calf roping" celebration after sacks would attest to -- this is indeed the perfect way for Jared Allen to sign off from the NFL, where he played for four teams over the course of his career, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.