Jonathan Allen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Allen

Allen with the Washington Commanders in 2022
No. 93 – Minnesota Vikings
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1995-01-16) January 16, 1995 (age 30) Anniston, Alabama, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:	Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Virginia)
College:	Alabama (2013–2016)
NFL Draft:	2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17
Career history
Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders (2017) Minnesota Vikings (2025–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl (2021, 2022) CFP national champion (2015) Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2016) Chuck Bednarik Award (2016) Ted Hendricks Award (2016) Lombardi Award (2016) SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016) Unanimous All-American (2016) 3× first-team All-SEC (2014–2016)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Tackles: 401 Sacks: 42 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 2 Pass deflections: 5 Interceptions: 1
Player stats at PFR

Jonathan Allen (born January 16, 1995) is an American professional football player. He plays as a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He helped his team win a national championship in 2015. In 2016, he won several awards for being a top defensive player. The Washington Redskins chose Allen in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played for them for eight seasons and was selected for the Pro Bowl twice.

Early Life and High School

Jonathan Allen was born on January 16, 1995, in Anniston, Alabama. He moved around a lot as a child. He lived in places like Seattle, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Maryland. Eventually, his family settled in Ashburn, Virginia. He went to Stone Bridge High School there.

When Jonathan was young, his parents separated. At age eight, he and his brother, Richard, lived in foster care for ten months. This means they lived with other families for a short time. In 2004, their father, US Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Allen Jr., gained full custody of them.

In 2012, during his senior year of high school, Jonathan was named the Virginia Gatorade Football Player of the Year. He was a very strong player, making 308 tackles and 44 sacks during his high school career. Experts saw him as a top recruit and he chose to play college football at the University of Alabama.

College Football Career

Jonathan Allen started playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2013. As a freshman, he played in 13 games and made 16 tackles. In 2014, he became a starter, playing in all 14 games. He was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference for his strong performance. He had 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks that year.

In 2015, as a junior, Allen started every game for Alabama. His team won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship by beating the Clemson Tigers 45–40. After the 2016 season, Allen received many important awards. These included the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award. These awards recognize the best defensive players in college football.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

Before the NFL draft, many experts thought Jonathan Allen would be one of the first players chosen. However, some teams became concerned when he was diagnosed with arthritis in one of his shoulders. He had surgery on both shoulders before the NFL Combine. Even with this concern, he was still expected to be a first-round pick.

Washington Commanders (2017–2024)

Allen playing for the Washington Redskins in 2018

The Washington Redskins selected Jonathan Allen in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the 17th player chosen overall. In May 2017, he signed his first professional contract, which was for four years and worth $11.59 million.

Allen got his first professional sack in a game against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 of 2017. However, in Week 6, he suffered a foot injury called a Lisfranc injury. He had surgery and was placed on the injured reserve list, meaning he couldn't play for the rest of the season.

Allen returned strong for the 2018 season. He started all 16 games and recorded eight sacks. In 2019, he played in 15 games, finishing with six sacks. In 2020, the team changed its defensive strategy, and Allen moved to play defensive tackle. He finished that season with two sacks.

Allen sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2021.

On July 27, 2021, Allen signed a new four-year contract extension worth $72 million. In December 2021, he set a new personal record with 8.5 sacks in a single season. During a game against the Cowboys, an incident occurred on the sideline involving Allen and a teammate. After the 2021 season, he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. His fellow players ranked him 88th among the top NFL players in 2022.

In 2022, Allen continued to play well. He made his first career interception and first career forced fumble in a win against the Chicago Bears. In December 2022, he was voted into his second straight Pro Bowl. He was ranked 52nd by his fellow players in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023. In the 2023 season, Allen started 16 games and had 5.5 sacks.

In Week 6 of the 2024 season, Allen partially tore a muscle in his left chest. He was expected to miss the rest of the season but returned to play in Week 17. He finished the 2024 season with 19 tackles and three sacks in eight games. On February 25, 2025, the Commanders allowed Allen to look for a new team. He was released on March 7, 2025, after a trade could not be arranged.

Minnesota Vikings (2025–present)

On March 11, 2025, Jonathan Allen signed a three-year contract worth $60 million with the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Jonathan Allen married his wife, Hannah, in July 2018. Because of his own experiences with the foster care system when he was a child, Allen often helps out at homeless shelters. He grew up as a fan of the Washington Redskins, the team he later played for.

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Allen para niños