Jared Allen Rides Into Stadium On Horse Ahead of Ring of Honor Ceremony; Za'Darius Smith Honors Allen With Sack Celebration

The NFC North wasn't short on long-haired, dominant pass rushers in the early 2000s. One of those studs was former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, who appeared at U.S. Bank Stadium on horseback Sunday afternoon ahead of his Ring of Honor ceremony.

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(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Allen's baller entrance, equipped with his equine, purple blazer and cowboy hat, reminded the Minneapolis faithful of the show-stealing sight Allen once brought to the field.

In 2011, Allen was half a sack away from tying Lawrence Taylor's 22.5 single-season sack record. He retired in 2015 after 12 seasons (six of those spent with the Vikings).

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 30: Jared Allen, former defensive end of the Minnesota Vikings, celebrates as he is inducted into the Vikings' Ring of Honor during halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Allen joined the Vikings in 2008 following a 15.5. sack season with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs drafted Allen in 2004 with the 126th pick (fourth round).

Allen ended his career with 136 sacks and played his way to five Pro Bowl appearances.

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Vikings defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith gave a special nod to Allen during a first-quarter sack on Kyler Murray. After chasing down the Cardinals QB, Smith pulled out Allen's famed lasso celebration.

Minnesota's Ring of Honor includes: