Eric Allen

Last updated

Eric Allen
Eric Allen Philly HOF (cropped).jpg
Allen in 2018
No. 21
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1965-11-22) November 22, 1965 (age 58)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Point Loma (San Diego)
College: Arizona State
NFL draft: 1988  / Round: 2 / Pick: 30
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:493
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:6
Interceptions:54
Defensive touchdowns:8
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Eric Andre Allen (born November 22, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen retired from playing after the 2001 season and is currently an NFL analyst for Pac-12 Networks. In his NFL career, he recorded 54 interceptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns, while also recovering seven fumbles. His 54 interceptions is tied for 21st in NFL history. [1] He now lives in San Diego, California with his wife Lynn Allen, with whom he has four children.

Contents

In 2019, he served as the defensive backs coach for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

Early years

Allen played high school football at Point Loma High School under legendary coach Bennie Edens.

College career

Allen played college football at Arizona State University.

Professional career

Allen was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. [2]

Allen played seven seasons for the Eagles, three seasons for the New Orleans Saints, and four seasons for the Oakland Raiders. While with the Eagles he was a very popular player with the "Gang Green" Defense, playing with NFL greats Reggie White, Seth Joyner, Jerome Brown, Clyde Simmons, Andre Waters, Mike Pitts, and Wes Hopkins. He is the only NFL player to run back three or more interceptions for scores in two separate seasons.

One of Allen's most memorable plays occurred October 3, 1993, in a game against the New York Jets. Having lost their starting quarterback (Randall Cunningham) to a fractured fibula early in the contest, the Eagles found themselves trailing the Jets by two points late in the 4th quarter as the Jets drove downfield for what would likely be the game's final points. Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason attempted to throw for a first down inside the Eagles 10-yard line as Allen stepped in front of the intended receiver at the 6-yard line. [3] The ensuing 94-yard touchdown return was declared "Greatest Interception Return in NFL History" by Steve Sabol of NFL Films.

After several successful and injury-free seasons at Philadelphia and New Orleans, Allen blew out his knee during the 1998 season on November 15 while playing for the Oakland Raiders against the Seattle Seahawks and missed the rest of that season. But he came back strong in 2000 and had a season to remember, with six interceptions, including a team-record three for touchdowns. His teammates honored him with the first annual Eric Turner award for the Raiders' most outstanding defensive player. The award was created in the memory of the Oakland free safety who died of abdominal cancer in May 2000.

Through the 2001 season, Allen played in 216 of a possible 224 games.

In 2009, Allen also was inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface. [4]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high
YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFR
1988 PHI 1616———0.057615.2210—00
1989 PHI 1515———0.08384.8180—00
1990 PHI 1615———0.033712.3351—00
1991 PHI 1616———0.05204.080—01
1992 PHI 1616———0.044912.2360—02
1993 PHI 1616585262.0620133.59441730
1994 PHI 16165746110.036120.33301401
1995 NO 16165844140.022814.0280600
1996 NO 1616514830.013333.03301900
1997 NO 1616504550.022713.5270800
1998 OAK 1010353320.055911.82201700
1999 OAK 1616615290.033311.03101601
2000 OAK 1615686261.0614524.25031400
2001 OAK 1514554960.011919.0190921
Career 216213493431623.05482616.394812056

Television career

Allen joined ESPN in August 2002 as an NFL studio analyst. Allen primarily appears on ESPN's "Sportscenter" as an NFL analyst.

Allen has had appearances as a college football analyst on the Pac-12 Networks football shows, as well as for the station's flagship show "Sports Report" as a football analyst.

Coaching career

On December 19, 2018, Allen was named defensive backs coach for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "NFL Interceptions Career Leaders (Since 1940)". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  2. ↑ "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Today in Philly Sports History: Eric Allen's "Greatest Interception Return in NFL History," 1993". NBC Sports Philadelphia. December 3, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  4. ↑ "San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum » Eric Allen". Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Wednesday's Sports Transactions". The Brunswick News . Associated Press. December 19, 2018. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019. SAN DIEGO FLEET — Named Eric Allen defensive backs coach and LaMont Jordan running backs coach.
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