Four-time NFL All-Pro Jared Allen to compete in Grand Slam of Curling event

Jared Allen is trading the gridiron for a little bit of rock and roll.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame member will compete in the Grand Slam of Curling’s KIOTI GSOC Tahoe in Nevada, Nov. 4-9, the GSOC announced Tuesday. It marks the Grand Slam’s first event in the U.S.

The GSOC says Allen, 43, started getting interested in curling in 2018 when he made a bet with friends to see if he could make the Olympics in a sport he had never played before. Since then, he has been a regular on the curling sheets.

“I started curling on a dare, but it didn’t take me long to see how demanding and rewarding this sport really is,” said Allen.

“I’ve played in Super Bowls and Pro Bowls in front of massive crowds, but the level of focus and precision curling requires is unlike anything I’ve experienced. Now fans in the U.S. can experience the same world-class competition I’ve grown to love, instead of waiting every four years to see the sport on the Olympic stage.”

A defensive end for 12 seasons in the NFL, Allen was a four-time All-Pro and a two-time season sack leader. He was elected into the Hall of Fame this year.

Allen’s best years in the NFL came in Minnesota, a state very familiar with curling.

Allen will team up with two-time Olympic champion John Morris of Canada and U.S. champ Jason Smith at the Grand Slam event. A fourth member of the team is still to be announced.

“I think we can be very competitive, to be honest with you. And I think you’ll see that that’s based on just our work ethic and the talent that the majority of the team has,” Allen said.

The 2025-26 Grand Slam of Curling begins Sept. 23-28 with the AMJ Masters in London, Ont.