From NFL to Curling: Jared Allen Respects The Game Two years and a pandemic later, the ex-football star is doing the work. Author: Two years and a pandemic later, the ex-football star is doing the work. He towers over his teammates, a six-foot-six hulking mass of muscle who crushed his body for 11 NFL seasons. Two years and a global pandemic in, the curling jury likes what it sees of former five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen. Allen is competing this week at the 2021 U.S. Nationals in Wausau, WI, throwing second stones for Team Todd Birr out of Blaine, MN.