Jared Allen still is sorry that Lance Louis' season is over. The Minnesota Vikings defensive end leveled Louis with a block during an interception return last week and tore the Chicago Bears offensive lineman's anterior cruciate ligament.
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The NFL fined Allen $21,000 for the hit, but he insists it wasn't dirty.
"Just making a block on an interception," Allen said Thursday, via The Associated Press. "Like I said before, it was never my intention to hurt a guy. I feel bad that he got hurt. That's obviously never my intention. But 'Toine's coming up the sideline to make a play.
"I blocked the guy, and sometimes bad things happen."
Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield had picked off a pass and was going the other way with the ball. Allen caught Louis not looking and threw a devastating block.
Allen left his feet, however, and therein lies the problem.
"You have to be careful about leaving your feet," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "Other than that, it was a good block. I didn't think it was a vicious block."
The block was vicious, but that wasn't the intent. Imagine the reaction and fine had Ndamukong Suh been involved.
Anyone who suggests Allen is dirty or actively tried to hurt Louis is severely misguided.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
