NEW ORLEANS — Edge rusher Jared Allen, who played 18 games for the Bears toward the end of his 12-year playing career, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Allen had 5 ½ sacks for the Bears from 2014 until he was traded to the Panthers in the middle of the 2015 season. He retired at the end of the year.
Allen is best-known for his six years with the Vikings that produced 85 ½ sacks and his six years with the Chiefs that produced 43.
“This is a byproduct of the love we have for the game,” Allen said.
Allen was one of just four players voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class, which was announced Thursday at NFL Honors . The others were former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, former Eagles, Saints and Raiders cornerback Eric Allen and former Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Former Giants quarterback Eli Manning was not among the players chosen.
The Hall allows up to five modern-era players in each Hall of Fame class.