Carolina Panthers' defensive end Jared Allen called time on an impressive 12-year career as an NFL player on Thursday, and he did it in spectacular style.
Having spent the best years of his career as a Minnesota Viking, Allen moved to the Chicago Bears before joining Cam Newton and the Panthers on their run to the Super Bowl, but a loss to the Denver Broncos on the biggest stage will now be the final game of his career as he took to twitter to say his farewell, and he did it in style.
Riding off into the sunset pic.twitter.com/wZXovseGKS
— Jared Allen (@JaredAllen69) February 18, 2016
Now that is how you announce a retirement.
He also released an official statement:
I want to take this time to thank my family, friends fans, and teammates who have given their continued support throughout my 12 year career. It’s been a great ride for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the memories. It is with a great deal of thought and consideration, that I have decided that I will not return to football next year. I want to thank the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs organizations, who provided me with an opportunity to live out my dream and to be a part of their wonderful communities. Thanks for the lifelong memories.
A fourth-round draft pick, Allen would go on to have a stellar career and was one of the most feared QB hunters around in his pomp, and although his final season wouldn't have gone quite as smoothly as he wanted, at least he got to play in the Super Bowl before he called it a day.
