It’s been a week since Myles Garrett shattered the single-season sack record. He sacked Joe Burrow in their final regular-season game to register 23 sacks, more than anyone. However, a certain Hall of Famer doesn’t think so.

Former Minnesota Vikings star Jared Allen claimed to be alongside Garrett as the player with the highest single-season sacks. 

The Vikings posted a video ahead of his Hall of Fame induction in August. In that video, Allen discussed how the NFL incorrectly credited his 23rd sack to another player, claiming he was the true single-season sack leader. Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt held the record with 22.5 sacks each. 

“The reality is, I hold the 23-sack record. It's 23. Not T.J. Watt at 22.5 in 17 games and not Michael Strahan. Facts are facts. It's on film. I sacked Aaron Rodgers, they took it from me on Wednesday and called it a team sack.”

This incident occurred in a regular-season game between the Vikings and the Packers during the 2011 season. Rodgers plays a snap and gets the ball, but drops it again because of Allen’s pressure. Although he picked it up again, Allen pounced on him to register a sack. Unfortunately for him, it counted as a team sack, and it no longer credits any player. 

Allen ranks fifth in ‌most single-season sacks with 22. Chiefs’ Justin Houston at 22, Strahan and Watt at 22.5, and Garrett at 23 sacks all sit ahead of him in the list. But while the NFL doesn’t recognize Allen’s record, he’s got the man he sacked to back him up.

Aaron Rodgers backs up Jared Allen’s claim 

No better person could’ve supported Jared Allen’s claim than the veteran Aaron Rodgers did. 

After the four-time All-Pro told his story, the video cuts to Rodgers, who admits that the sack should’ve gone to him. 

"You are the all-time single-season sack leader, I don't care what the numbers say," Rodgers said. "Because that phantom, bulls*** sack they took away from you would give you the record. So, in my book, and probably in most Vikings fans' books, you're the all-time single-season sack leader, my friend."

However, he’s not the only one who spoke against Garrett’s record. Recently, on the Fox Sports show, Michael Strahan took a jab at the Browns’ defensive tackle’s record. 

“I mean, I hold the record for 16-game season, they hold the record for 17-game season,” Strahan joked. “This young man’s amazing, absolutely amazing. And I know that he has so many sacks left in him. He’s just 30 years old.” 

Do you think Allen should be recognized as the single-season sack leader alongside Garrett? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Written by

Kalp Thaker

Edited by

Joyita Das