Jared Allen expects to be booed in return to Minnesota

Jared Allen collected 85.5 sacks in six seasons with the Vikings. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Veteran defensive end Jared Allen signed with the Chicago Bears

Jared Allen collected 85.5 sacks in six seasons with the Vikings. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Veteran defensive end Jared Allen signed with the Chicago Bears this offseason, which has to sting for fans of the Minnesota Vikings. Fan bases understand that the NFL is a business and players must eventually leave town, but it stings when a star player leaves for a division rival.

After deciding to remain in the NFC North, Allen anticipates boos from the fans when the Bears play at Minnesota during the 2014 regular season.

“Minnesota has great fans, so they’re going to boo me,” Allen said during an appearance on PFT Live.

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“Absolutely. I’m sure I’ll get some cheers later but absolutely they’re going to boo, and why shouldn’t they? I now play for a division rival but I love the fans in Minnesota, I had six phenomenal years there. That organization, that state will always be a part of my life, and again there is nothing but respect and joy and everything so it’ll be a fun time to play back against them, but yeah I expect some boos.”

While it would be hard to blame Vikings fans for booing Allen if that is what they decide to do, we can hope that they recognize all of the great things he has done for the team and community as a member of the franchise at some point after the initial hurt feelings wear off.

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