Out of more than 30,000 people to play in the NFL over 105 seasons, Allen is one of only 382 now in the Hall of Fame and one of only four in this year’s class, the smallest in 20 years. Allen enters the Hall along with cornerback Eric Allen, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.

A third-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004, Allen wasted no time establishing himself as a Pro Bowl talent, logging nine and 11 sacks in his first two seasons, respectively. Then came the true breakout: He led the NFL with 15.5 quarterback takedowns in 2007, his fourth season, earning the first of four career All-Pro nods.

Jared Allen was raised on a horse ranch in California and fulfilled his vision of becoming a professional football player with a fun-loving cowboy style.