NFL Hall of Famer Jared Allen has been praised for his inductee speech in which he said true legacy means he was a wonderful father, husband, and man of faith, not that he was good at football.
During the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, Allen, who was a defensive end first for the Kansas City Chiefs before having a winning career with the Minnesota Vikings, said the most important thing in life isn’t how well you played football, but that you lived a life where you put Jesus and your family first.
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The football professional first praised his wife for being the person who elevates him. “You’re one of the smartest people I know. I am in awe of you every single day. I love you more than life itself.”
He then became emotional talking about being a father to their two girls.
“Two most important decisions you’ll make in life:
1. Whether you follow Jesus or not.
2. Who you marry.”
– NFL Hall of Fame Inductee Jared Allen— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 2, 2025
“To my amazing daughters, Brinley and Lakelyn: Through this process, the word ‘legacy’ has been talked about a lot,” Allen said. “The Hall of Fame says I’m here to tell my story. Well, I’m here to tell you two, you are my greatest accomplishments.”
“When I get called home to heaven one day, if all they talk about is this gold jacket and my career, then I failed miserably as a father, a husband, and a friend,” he added, pointing to the gold jacket inductees receive. “You two are my legacy.”
“You are both so talented, and I cannot wait to see what you decide to do to conquer this world,” Allen continued. “So always put Christ first, find your why, dream big dreams, and always pursue greatness in whatever you do.”
The comments were widely praised online, with people writing about them on X.
“I really enjoyed listening to Jared Allen’s HOF speech. Here it is if you missed it. He is high on my list of “favorite players from teams I couldn’t stand,” one person wrote.
Another added, “What a powerful HOF message from Jared Allen on Saturday in Canton.”
While a third wrote, “Jared Allen talking about his daughters in his Hall Of Fame speech might bring a tear to your eye #GirlDad.”
The comments reminded me of what Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker, a father of three and a strong advocate of faith, said at a White House event recently after being named as a member of the President’s Council on Sports.
.@buttkicker7: “I’m excited to do my part to help make America healthy again — to help our youth be healthy and thrive and grow up and be great citizens of this country, be great family members … I think you have to be strong in mind, in body, and soul.” pic.twitter.com/xHuUM6f1EA
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 31, 2025
“Obviously, very excited to be here…Just excited to do my part to help make America healthy again — to help our youth be healthy and thrive and grow up and be great citizens of this country, be great family members … I think you have to be strong in mind, in body, and soul,” Harrison shared.
And those of professional golfer Scottie Scheffler’s comments ahead of the 2025 British Open, when he pointed out how his priorities were clearly in the right place, as my RedState colleague Levon Satamian reported.
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“My faith and my family is what’s most important to me … Golf is third in that order. … I’d much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer … if golf ever started affecting my home life … that’s the last day that I play.”
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