How Jared Allen Transitioned From Soccer to Olympic Curling

Jared Allen used the “Energy of the Mullet” to turn into one of many NFL’s most charismatic athletes, however now the legendary defensive finish is effectively and actually on the assault with the game of curling. What began out as a joke amongst buddies quickly changed into an ultracompetitive actuality when the Texan fell head over heels for the sport they name ‘chess on ice.’

Keen to search out out extra, M&F caught up with the record-breaking sacker to learn how it’s all going.

“It began as a wager, and I by no means welch on a wager… though I in all probability ought to,” jokes Allen of his unlikely transition from the gridiron to the ice rink. Initially, he had excessive hopes of constructing a reputation for himself on the PGA tour, however ultimately got here to the trustworthy realization that he wasn’t as much as par.

Undeterred, Allen occurred to see a narrative on Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, the unlikely Olympian ski jumper from England, and he was impressed to discover a sport that he may be even worse at after which attempt to take all of it the best way to the Olympic Video games. “The reward isn’t price the fee, I’ll inform you that a lot,” laughs Allen whereas reflecting on his newly chosen sport.

As a former NFL celebrity who performed with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers throughout his 12-year profession, the cash out there through winners purses or sponsorships in Curling is a far cry from the riches of the NFL. Nonetheless, it was by no means the cash that drew Allen to curling within the first place. It was, in fact, the prospect to reconnect along with his buddies and get his recreation face on as soon as once more. “I believe I simply benefit from the competitors of it,” he says. “I get pleasure from studying one thing new .. I’m simply form of the character that after I’m in, I’m all-in. And so, we try to perform the aim of qualifying for the (2024) Olympics.”

How you can Play Curling

• Curling is a workforce sport the place the 4 gamers work collectively to be able to slide a granite stone into the goal space that’s on the finish of a protracted strip of ice referred to as the “pitch.” The profitable workforce is the one which strikes their stones down the pitch and closest to the center of that focus on space, in any other case referred to as the “home.”
• In all, 16 stones are despatched down the ice by every workforce throughout 8 video games.
• Factors can solely be awarded when a stone is inside the bounds of the home.
• Groups can knock opposing stones out of competition with their very own stones.
• Factors are awarded based mostly on every workforce’s capability to get their stones closest to the middle of the home and that is scored cumulatively throughout the entire 8 video games.

Whereas curling typically seems to be like a comparatively light train, you will need to word that the stones weigh round 40 kilos (18 kilograms) and it takes nice effort to maneuver them. The stone is initially despatched out by the thrower who really pushes the stone into the specified route. “Sweepers” then comply with the stone and try and affect the journey of every stone by warming the ice and decreasing the resistance that the stone will face.

How Jared Allen Improved His Curling Expertise

In March of 2018, Allen put his first curling workforce collectively, they usually discovered themselves on the dropping finish of all 4 video games on the World Curling Tour occasion that very same 12 months. For an elite athlete like Jared Allen nevertheless, throwing himself into the deep finish and dropping to Olympic degree curlers was the right introduction to the game. Since then, and with a always evolving workforce, this sporting icon has certified for a number of nationwide competitions, and is keen to achieve the Olympics himself.

“I’ll inform you what, it’s a distinct sort of competitors than I’m ever used to,” Allen says. “Clearly, the bodily aspect of studying; the right way to slide and be on ice, however simply from the psychological (side), it’s like chess on ice, proper? So, there’s a bunch of technique to it, so it’s been a enjoyable problem, I can’t complain, and we’re having fun with the method.” Whereas Allen has fallen flat on his face a number of instances, he’s at all times acquired up stronger and wiser for the following go round. Competing within the Grand Prix Bern Inter 2023 in Bern, Switzerland, Allen’s workforce showcased distinctive ability and teamwork, culminating of their victory within the Comfort-Cup 2023. His persistence, adaptability, and dedication has introduced nice admiration from inside the curling group and past. New eyeballs are discovering the game because of Allen’s involvement, and it’s a lot harder than it seems to be.

Sweeping, for instance, is a superb check of cardiovascular endurance. “And, you’re attempting to remain balanced on ice, proper?” says Allen. “So, yeah, sweeping forwards and backwards, I imply you’re leaning on that broom, you’re placing loads of power, loads of weight on there. The bodily aspect of it was greater than I assumed it was going to be. I typically stroll away utterly worn out. By the primary day, your muscular tissues are smoked, so Biofreeze has been my pal,” he provides, laughing

Whereas some athletes battle with retirement, Allen, who was one of the fearsome rushers in NFL historical past, has been in a position to make use of household and religion to see him clear. Along with his curling “pastime,” Jared Allen champions the Houses for Wounded Warriors initiative, offering accessible mortgage-free properties to fight veterans.  “Loads of guys do run into that (issue with retirement), I believe it’s extra as a result of that’s the place they discover their id, proper? They don’t have something exterior of that, whereas I discover my id in Christ, and household, and that form of stuff … for me curling began out as one thing goofy, and now I’m simply seeing it by.”