Jared Allen, Former NFL Players Hoping to Make 2022 Olympics as Curling Team

Former All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen and a crew of former NFL players have hung up their pads, but they aren't done trying to compete at the highest level...of curling.

According to CNN's Jill Martin, Allen, quarterback Marc Bulger, linebacker Keith Bulluck and offensive tackle Michael Roos have their sights set on representing the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Although picking up a sport at an advanced age may raise questions from fellow competitors, Allen made it clear to CNN's Patrick Snell (h/t Martin) that the All-Pro Curling Team is serious in its pursuit of the Olympics:

"The entire (curling) community—every team we play—has been very, very welcoming. They realize we're laughing, we're joking...but we're not doing this in a disrespectful manner.

"We come out, and we're not slouching. We're not over there falling down on the ice, chipping our teeth, don't know how to do things. We have technique. We know how to make shots.

"We are progressing in a manner that people—the comment we get is, 'How long have you been doing this? You've been doing this for how long?' and then they're shocked at where we're at in such a short time that we've been doing it. So we've got to build on that."

Allen revealed to TMZ Sports in November 2018 that his curling career began as the result of a bet with a buddy, with the five-time Pro Bowler accepted the challenge of becoming an Olympic athlete. While he initially considered taking up badminton, curling proved to be the final choice.

Oddly enough, Bulluck had curled before—during an office party with FNTSY Sports Network.

"I did get a few hours of curling in, and the most memorable part was the beers, so I guess I'm here for the beers," Bulluck said, per Martin.

Little did he know, he would one day be pursuing the Olympics as a curler.

Allen told Jimmy Golen of the Associated Press that he and the group of ex-NFLers are focused on improving their fundamentals, strategy and sweeping.

The All-Pro Curling Team will be among those competing at the USA Curling Men's Challenge in Blaine, Minnesota, for a spot in next month's national championships.