Jared Allen trying to qualify for Olympics in curling after making a bet

During his time in the NFL, Jared Allen was a star pass rusher, becoming one of the league’s top players at his position. Now, eight years after his professional career ended, Allen is looking to return to competitive sports and will try to qualify for the Olympics in curling.

What’s really unique about Allen’s attempt to qualify for the Olympics is that it started with a bet five years ago.

Initially, he and his friend made a bet about qualifying for a PGA Tour event. That changed when Allen learned about Eddie the Eagle, an Englishman who made the 1988 Olympics as a ski jumper despite not knowing how to ski jump. He made it because there were no other British ski jumpers. So, with that, Allen set his sights on making a bet for the Olympics.

After considering a few different Olympic sports, Jared Allen settled on curling. Now 41 years old, it made sense for him, especially given how much he’s able to move physically these days.

“I read the rules of curling, it was like the winners have to buy the losers beer,” Jared Allen told the NY Post. “Most people start in their 40s, I was like, ‘Right up my alley.’”

Since then, he’s been putting the effort in to make the Olympics and was getting ready to compete in the U.S. National Championships at The Rink at American Dream in New Jersey before he had to withdraw for personal reasons.

For Allen, the sport has become incredibly interesting as he’s practiced it and learned the intricacies of the game.

“You look at it and people go, oh it’s like shuffleboard on ice,” Allen said. “I think for me, the strategic part was something that was very interesting. Obviously the physical side, I can learn physical things. 

On top of that, Allen’s also learned just how hard it’s going to be to actually make the Olympics in curling. When John Shuster and the U.S. won gold in curling in 2018, it was an eye opening even to watch for Allen.

“At that point, I was already too far down the rabbit hole, so then I look like a jerk talking about how I’m going to try to make the Olympics in curling when we just won a gold medal at. Took a bet and now five years later I refuse to welch on the bet.” 

NFL reportedly will encourage players to play flag football in 2028 Olympics

Flag football is coming to the Olympics in 2028. With that, the NFL is actually going to encourage players to join in and play flag football.

NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly explained and emphasized that interest is high among players.

“We understand the desire. We think it’s a great opportunity, because the player interest is real and palpable. There’s a desire to work through with these stakeholders and get to that outcome for July [2028],” O’Reilly said.

“Clearly in the lead-up to the announcement, and then [Monday], there was a lot of excitement, as you might expect, from great NFL athletes and NFL legends who love the idea of representing their country on an Olympic stage.”