Does former Vikings great Jared Allen belong in Canton?

Throughout NFL history, there have been a lot of all-time great players who have just missed the cut for Canton. Jared Allen is one of those all-time great players that can absolutely not miss his chance. The NFL record-holder had the perfect balance of speed (4.7 40-yard dash) and power (6-6, 265 lbs). He had a fantastic 11-year career while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers. He was particularly dominant in his time with the Vikings. 

After being drafted by the Chiefs in 2004 out of Idaho State with the 126th overall pick in the fourth round, Allen spent four seasons with the team before going to Minnesota in 2008. Allen would spend six seasons with the club before going to play for the Bears in 2014 and part of 2015 before finishing his career at the end of 2015 with the Panthers. The best season of the California native's career came in 2011 with the Vikings when he recorded a whopping 22 sacks, a career-best 21 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries (second-best mark of his career), and a career-best 32 quarterback hits. From 2007-2013, Allen would record 11+ sacks in each of those seven seasons. He earned five Pro Bowl trips in his career and four First-Team All-Pro selections. He started in all 96 games he played in for the Vikings, and he started in 181 career games out of the 187 that he played in. 

The former Idaho State Bengal is one of the great pass-rushers in NFL history. He is tied for the NFL record in safeties with four. He led the league in sacks twice (tied for NFL record). He is also tied with current Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for the most consecutive games with at least a half sack (11). Allen finished his career with 136 career sacks, which is tied for 16th-most all-time. He also recorded over 170 tackles for loss and almost 230 quarterback hits. Jared Allen deserves to be placed among legends in Canton, OH.