Jared Allen
FILE -Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)
Hester, Ware, Andre Johnson 1st-year Hall of Fame finalists

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2021 05:50 PM EST

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Saints aim to preserve playoff hopes vs. Panthers

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 01:17 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2016, file photo shows Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) smiling prior to an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standout DeMarcus Ware, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Ware, Mathis among 1st-year eligibles for Pro Football Hall

Sep. 22, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter eyes a tackling machine during NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Hunter returns, Vikings now looking for complementary rusher

By Brian Hall Aug. 19, 2021 04:33 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen reacts after sacking Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, in this Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, file photo. The Vikings won 30-23. Allen is a 2021 finalist for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson top Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Feb. 05, 2021 11:46 AM EST

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen reacts after sacking Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, in this Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, file photo. The Vikings won 30-23. Allen is a 2021 finalist for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid, File)
Packers Vikings 1005

Feb. 05, 2021 11:02 AM EST

FILE - Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen (69) talks to the media at a news conference after the team's NFL football training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., in this Friday, July 25, 2014, file photo. Allen is one of four first-year-eligible 2021 finalists for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Bears Camp 7/25/14

Feb. 05, 2021 10:02 AM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in NFL football's Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif. Manning, in his first-year of eligibility, was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021 on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
No surprise: Peyton Manning a Hall of Fame finalist

By Barry Wilner Jan. 05, 2021 06:02 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) is perused by Houston Texans cornerback Phillip Gaines (29) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
With 2 strong performances, Colts hoping Hilton's on rise

By Michael Marot Dec. 07, 2020 06:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2009, file photo, Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay, Wis. Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson are first-year eligible players to make the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)
Cowboys Packers 1115

Nov. 24, 2020 01:30 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2009, file photo, Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay, Wis. Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson are first-year eligible players to make the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)
Manning, Woodson, Megatron are Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2020 01:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson 2021 Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Sep. 16, 2020 01:03 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss speaks after receiving his Hall of Fame ring during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Green Bay Packersin Minneapolis. The Vikings have drafted six Hall of Famers in the first round. None made more of a splash than Randy Moss in 1998.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
For Vikes, hard to find bigger 1st-round draft hit than Moss

By Dave Campbell Apr. 21, 2020 06:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2019, file photo, John Shuster delivers a stone during the 2019 USA Curling Nationals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Mich. Nearly a year has passed since he won gold in South Korea, and Shuster can still smile about his transformation from obscure curler to Olympic sensation. The past 12 months have certainly been eventful for him and his teammates. (Emil Lippe/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP, File)
A year after Olympic gold, US curlers reflect on success

By Noah Trister Feb. 15, 2019 03:41 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2013, file photo, former NFL quarterback Eric Hipple speaks during an NFL Player Health and Safety press conference in New Orleans. Atlanta Falcons guard Ben Garland and former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple are the finalists for the NFL's Salute To Service Award. The recipient of the award, presented by USAA, will be revealed on Feb. 2 during the NFL Honors show when The Associated Press announces its annual league awards, including MVP. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Falcons G Garland, former Lions QB Hipple award finalists

By Barry Wilner Jan. 17, 2019 01:08 PM EST

In this Jan. 3, 2019 photo, former Minnesota Vikings football player Jared Allen practices with his curling team for a competition in Blaine, Minn. Allen retired from the NFL in 2015 and wasn't ready to give up on the competition he'd come to enjoy as a five-time All-Pro in a 12-year career. His solution: Make it to the 2022 Olympics _ in curling. Less than a year later, he and three other former NFL players who have never curled before will attempt to qualify for the U.S. championships against curlers who have been throwing stones for most of their lives. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Ex-NFL Pro Bowl players try curling with 2022 Olympic goal

By Jimmy Golen Jan. 04, 2019 01:53 PM EST