Career sacks: 136. Calves roped as a Gold Jacket: 1.
There’s plenty of time for the 43-year-old to boost his stats, and more importantly, the celebration will keep going.
The Gold Jacket is one of three signature elements presented to a Pro Football Hall of Famer, along with a ring and the famous bronze bust.
Tailors measure each enshrinee for a precise fit, and the wait begins for the presentation.
Threads have never felt so good.
Hall of Fame Walk
It was quite the sight to have more than 100 Pro Football Hall of Famers stroll down George Halas Drive in front of the Hall of Fame and Museum on the way to their photo Friday morning.
Halas, who founded and owned the Bears team that Allen played for after his time in Minnesota, was instrumental in Minnesota being awarded an NFL franchise to begin play in 1961. Halas also was Chicago’s coach when the Vikings launched the franchise with a Fran Tarkenton-sparked 37-13 upset of his Bears.
Tarkenton was not in attendance Friday, but his teammates Paul Krause and Ron Yary participated in the walk along with Randall McDaniel, Cris Carter, John Randle, Warren Moon, Steve Hutchinson and Tony Dungy. The players (and former coach) with Vikings ties joined Allen for a smaller group photo on the steps in front of the Hall of Fame’s Rotunda, which was the location of enshrinement speeches years ago.