Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen gave a heartfelt speech after being inducted into the Hall of Fame. During his 12-year NFL career, Allen played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers. Despite a career of impressive defensive maneuvers and sacks, however, Allen decided to focus on two things: his faith and his family.

He referred to his father, Ron and spoke of his resilience, reading Philippians 4:11-12, which states, “I’m not saying this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.” He spoke of his mother and acknowledged her support. “And my mom, you’re always a source of compassion and grace, always there with a prayer. Even when I was a complete knucklehead and you never judged me, at least not to my face,” he said.

“He said the two most important decisions you’ll make in life is one, whether you follow Jesus or not, and two is who you marry. There’s only two types of people. There’s boat anchors who drag you down, and there’s people who elevate you, and you are a true game elevator,” said Allen, recalling advice he received during premarital counseling with the Vikings’ chaplain Tom Lamphere. Speaking of his wife, Amy, Allen said, “I am in awe of you every single day, and I love you more than life itself.”

He then turned his attention to his two daughters, Brittany and Lakeland. “When I get called home to Heaven one day, if all they talk about is this gold jacket and my career, then I failed miserably as a father, a husband and a friend,” he said. “You two are my legacy. You are both so talented, and I cannot wait to see what you decide to do to conquer this world. So always put Christ first, find your ‘why,’ dream big dreams and always pursue greatness in whatever you do. Thank you all, and may God bless you all.”

Allen reflected on the love he has for his family during an appearance on Fox & Friends after the ceremony. “That’s what my life’s always been about. It’s how I was raised. [They’re] the most important things to me,” he said referring to his family. He said he leaned on God to give him the words for his speech. “The Bible tells us, you look at when Paul and Peter were in front of the Sanhedrin, and God said, ‘Don’t worry about what they say, I’ll give you the word,’” he said. “So for me, I was just trying to deliver a heartfelt speech to my family and my friends and my teammates and just let people know what I was about.”