Josh Allen was just a rookie quarterback when he led the Buffalo Bills to one of the biggest NFL upsets in years — and turned in one of the most iconic plays of his career.
Now, the player on the receiving end of that play is hanging up his cleats.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, who Allen hurdled while leading his team to a shocking upset in the 2018 season, announced his retirement after nine seasons in the NFL. While Barr will be known as a four-time Pro Bowler, Bills fans will remember the iconic moment that helped put Allen on the map.
Josh Allen, Anthony Barr Remain Forever Tied
Allen was making just the second start of his career when he led the Bills into Minnesota for what many expected to be a blowout loss. The Vikings were favored by 17 points, one of the biggest spreads of the 2018 NFL season, and the Bills were coming off consecutive blowout losses to start the year.
But Allen got the Bills off to a hot start, highlighted by a scramble up the middle that he ended by hurdling over the 6-foot-5 linebacker. Allen has since gone on to hurdle several players, using his size and athleticism to gain extra yardage, but Barr was the first.
The Vikings linebacker took it in stride, later telling The Athletic’s Tim Graham that he had no idea the rookie quarterback was about to go airborne and leap over him.
âI thought he was going to try to run me over and was, like, âThis is crazy!â Then he jumped over me, and I was, like, âWell, thatâs crazy, too,ââ Barr said.
The Vikings linebacker admitted that Allen got the better of him.
âYou get got sometimes,â Barr said.
The play sparked the Bills to a blowout win over their own, with Allen leading the team to a 27-0 halftime lead and eventually a 27-6 victory.
To many, the hurdle over Barr was a sign of Allen’s potential, though it would take him close to two more seasons to reach his current MVP form. Allen broke out in the 2020 season, leading his team to a 13-3 record and a trip to the AFC Championship game.
Anthony Barr Calls it a Career
Barr had not played since the 2023 season and took to Instagram on Tuesday to announce that he was officially ending his career. Barr thanked his former coaches and teammates for their support and said he was proud of his career.
“For the past 25 years, football has been at the center of my life,” Barr wrote. “I’ve dedicated myself fully to the game, and in return, it has given me more than I could’ve ever imagined — lifelong memories, unbreakable bonds, and a platform to grow, lead, and inspire.”
Barr came into the league as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and had a strong rookie season, making four sacks, 70 total tackles, and three fumble recoveries in 12 games. He went on to play in 98 games over his 10 seasons in the NFL, which included one season with the Dallas Cowboys before returning to the Vikings in 2023.
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