Retired NFL Pro Bowlers Jared Allen and Marc Bulger are one half of a team entered in a World Curling Tour event in Minnesota this weekend.
Their first opponents on Friday? A team of PyeongChang Olympic champions John Shuster, Matt Hamilton and John Landsteiner, plus 2010 Olympian Chris Plys.
The event will stream here, according to Allen’s social media.
Allen was first linked to serious curling in February via U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Lou Nanne on a Minnesota ESPN radio show. Nanne said Allen told him at a dinner.
"[Allen] says, ‘I’m giving myself four years to make the Olympic curling team,’” said Nanne, a 1968 U.S. Olympian.
Allen and Bulger are on a team with 2010 Olympian John Benton and fellow veteran curler Hunter Clawson.
Allen, 36, retired in 2016 after a 12-year NFL career as a defensive end that included five Pro Bowls. Bulger, 41, retired in 2011 after a 10-year career, making two Pro Bowls with the Rams.
Another Pro Bowler has a prominent curling connection. Tight end Vernon Davis attended the last three Winter Games as USA Curling’s honorary team captain.
Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker is the only athlete with NFL regular-season experience to compete in the Winter Olympics. He finished seventh in two-man bobsled at Albertville 1992.
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