Jared Allen wins Salute to Service award

Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen was named the winner of the Salute to Service award for his support for the military and their families.

Jared Allen of the Chicago Bears is known for his ferocious pass rushing skills on the field, but he was honored Saturday as the fourth annual winner of the Salute to Service Award, presented for Allen’s support of military members and their families.

Allen makes homes accessible for veterans who return from combat with disabling injuries by either building, purchasing or remodeling homes to fit the lifestyle needs of a disabled military member as part of his work with Jared Allen Homes for Wounded Warriors Foundation.

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Since Allen created his foundation in 2009, it has raised more than $3.5 million, with a goal of donating 10 homer a year to wounded members of the military.

Allen attended the NFL Honors show in Phoenix Saturday night with Army Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg, a veteran who received a remodeled home from Allen’s foundation in 2014.

Allen also created the Helping Heroes Gala, held each year around Veterans Day, to raise funds for the foundation. From NFL-USO tours, military visits and monetary donations, to hosting golf tournaments and galas, Allen honors and supports wounded veterans year-round.

Previous winners include the late Bud Allen, who was owner of the Tennessee Titans (2011); Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (2012); and Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh (2013).

In October, 28 teams nominated personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community.

Vincent Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the other finalist this year.

The panel of judges included retired Navy Vice Admiral John Bird, Army veteran and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, Harbaugh, Air Force Academy graduate and former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Chad Hennings, NFL executive vice president of communications Paul Hicks, Marine Corps veteran and former NFL coach Jim Mora Sr., and U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach.

The award is part of the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign, which includes NFL players and coaches traveling overseas to visit the troops and 32 designated Salute to Service games played around Veterans Day, from which $100 is donated by the NFL for every point scored to the Pat Tillman Foundation, the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Allen had 5½ sacks in 15 games for the Bears this season and is ninth all-time with 134 sacks in his 11-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and the Bears.

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