Panthers DE Jared Allen Announces NFL Retirement In Video

Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday in a rather unconventional yet fitting way.

Panthers DE Jared Allen Announces NFL Retirement In Video

Allen, 33, posted a video of himself wearing a black cowboy hat, heavy coat, and riding a horse off into a fake sunset.

“I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,” Allen said in the video. “This is the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing how there is no sunset, I’m just going to ride off.”

Allen, who was raised on a ranch, is the league’s active sacks leader (136). He also released a statement through his agent Ken Harris, which reads:

“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 life long memories.”

Allen last played in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos, despite a broken right foot he suffered during a divisional playoff win against the Seattle Seahawks that caused him to miss the NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals. Panthers Coach Ron Rivera hinted following the team’s loss to the Broncos that this might be Allen’s last game.

Allen was scheduled to count $8.5 million against the Carolina salary cap in 2016, but the team would probably not have kept him at that salary. He was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears after the third game of the 2015 season, when defensive end Charles Johnson suffered a serious hamstring injury. Allen was at his best during the 2011 season with the Vikings, with a league-leading 22 sacks. He had 11 sacks or more in eight of his 12 seasons.

“At the end of the day, you play this game to win a Super Bowl, to win championships,” said Allen, who attended his first Super Bowl just this year. “It’s a team-game sport. Since I’ve come to this locker room, it’s really enhanced what this game is about. You can get in so many [situations] and it’s about your individual success.”

Caption: CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 03: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackles by Jared Allen #69 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)