The fifth time’s a charm for former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.

After narrowly missing out on the gold jacket in each of his previous years of eligibility, Allen’s wait finally ended on Thursday night when he was officially elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Though he admitted the process to get to this point was frustrating at times, Allen added an important caveat, saying, “It was worth the wait.” He will become the 16th person in franchise history enshrined in Canton, Ohio, and the first since his former teammate Steve Hutchinson in 2020.

Aside from Allen, the Class of 2025 also includes Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe, Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, and Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. They were recognized as a group at “NFL Honors” in New Orleans.

“It is tremendous to see Jared take his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. “He was not only one of the most dominant pass rushers of his era but also an outstanding teammate who embodied what it means to be a Minnesota Viking. His impact on the field was undeniable, and his personality off the field was infectious. We congratulate Jared and his family on this prestigious honor.”

The numbers speak for themselves when tracking Allen’s dominance.

He finished his career with 136 sacks — which ranks No. 12 in NFL history — and added 32 forced fumbles and 19 fumble recoveries. Some other impressive stats include his 648 tackles, 228 quarterback hits and 58 pass deflections.

Originally selected by the Chiefs in the 2004 NFL Draft, Allen was traded to the Vikings in April 2008. That move helped Allen take his game to the next level. He played 96 games with the Vikings in total, serving as the lifeblood of the defense while racking up 85½ sacks.

After his time with the Vikings came to an end, Allen played for the Bears and the Panthers before retiring. He announced his retirement in February 2016 by posting a video of himself riding his horse off into the sunset.

Never mind that Allen played for a few other teams in his career. He will forever be remembered as a member of the Vikings. He was formally inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in October 2022, and now, at long last, he’s been elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“My goal in life was to be the best football player I could be,” Allen said. “I played this game for the respect of my peers and the respect of the guys who played before me. This is the byproduct. It’s a tremendous honor.”