Minnesota Vikings star Jared Allen meets some real defenders in the Persian Gulf
Jared Allen posed for pictures and signed autographs for a lot of his fans during a weeklong NFL-USO tour of military bases throughout the Persian Gulf about a month ago.
But Allen was equally awed with the numerous U.S. soldiers he met during his trip.
Allen, whose grandfather served in the Marines for more than 20 years and whose brother Ronald is wrapping up boot camp, was compelled by the "fascinating stories" he heard and the equipment and machines he saw.
"Everyone has their political views," Allen said Thursday. "But when you go there, and you're face to face with the men and women who are putting their lives in the line, and the sacrifices they make, it's a very humbling experience.
"They chose to be the defenders, and they have so much commitment and character. They allow us to do what we do. It makes you appreciate what you got back home. A bad day at home isn't really that bad."
Allen said he didn't have any bad days during his visit, even though there were challenges. Allen, who made the trip with fellow NFL players Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals), Danny Clark (New York Giants) and Will Witherspoon (St. Louis Rams), endured a sleepless night and a sandstorm that prevented the group from leaving one base for three days.
"It was eye-opening and educational," he said. "You see things on TV, and they appear one way. Then we're there, and it was the complete opposite.
"I thought there would be bombs going off every night, but there wasn't."
One of Allen's goals was to get a deeper understanding of Iraq and Afghanistan because his 20-year-old brother, Ronald Allen Jr., is finishing boot camp at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California.
"I feel a lot more comfortable," Allen said of the possibility of his brother being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. "You look at it, and you have to trust his training. After being over there, and seeing the passion for what the soldiers are doing, it gives you a different perspective."
Allen said he was impressed with the soldiers' intensity and the structure on the bases. Though he was flattered to meet with one- and two-star generals, he said he enjoyed the company of soldiers of every rank, especially the members of the group's security detail.
"Those dudes are just hilarious," he said.
Allen had planned for this trip to be one of the highlights of his offseason. But Fitzgerald persuaded him to extend his time abroad and join him on a vacation to Dubai and multiple African nations.
They traveled for three weeks.
"I'm so glad I did it," Allen said. "The beauty of Africa is amazing. My view of Africa was completely skewed. I'm thinking it's a civil war-ridden continent, and you hear about the violence and racism in South Africa. But Cape Town is just beautiful.
"It was like being in San Diego, except everyone had a cool accent."
Allen and Fitzgerald went on three safaris, and their touristy highlights included the pyramids in Egypt.
Allen said he has trained on a daily basis. In fact, his trainer joined him in Dubai, after the USO trip.
"I'm in phenomenal shape," he said.
