By Brandon Stone / Yahoo / Jan. 30, 2024
Steve Largent, Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice and Randy Moss – all legendary wide receivers whose greatness spans not just decades, but generations.
One thing they all have in common? They’ve all battled on the football field one man from Point Loma, who wants to join them in most hallowed halls of Canton.
Pointers alum and three-time All Pro defensive back Eric Allen was recently named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the weekend before the Super Bowl in Las Vegas this February, he will find out if he gets the ultimate prize.
“This has been a little bit different year than the previous 17 or 18,” Allen said, “I was at it this time around, and what I mean by that is interviews back in Philadelphia, here on the West Coast, here at home … to try and make sure that the new people, the new voters, who were not able to see those matchups with Jerry Rice or Michael Irvin and all those great players, kind of understand that it’s not just the numbers.”
But those numbers are powerful ones – 54 interceptions in his career, good for 21st all-time. For perspective, 14 of the 20 ahead of him have already been enshrined. Allen has nine non-offensive touchdowns in his career as well – more than Hall of Famers Darrell Green, Derrick Brooks and Ty Law.
So has Allen turned his competitors into his hypemen?
“Yes, because those guys are already in the room,” Allen said. “It’s so important that they talk to their team voters when they have opportunities.”
Allen also recognizes how the faces of the NFL have changed from his playing days to his waiting days. Going back to the 80s, the faces of those who coached, managed, and prepared NFL teams were white and male. In these times, everyone has a seat at the edges of the table.
“I think when we start talking analytics…when you say that to someone, I’m not sure if they get a picture of a Black player in a room with a couple of other guys in 1993 breaking down film of the opposing team and charting the out routes.”
Allen pointed out the work of former players turned leaders like former NFLPA director Gene Upshaw, and former Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. He also recognized the work of the Las Vegas Raiders and the Davis family – a team he played for to end his career, and now covers as a media member.
“Our general manager for the Raiders is a Black guy (interim manager Champ Kelly),” Allen said. “Our head coach is [Antonio Pierce]. Our president is a Black female (Sandra Douglass Morgan). And so, analytics are now just bringing what we’ve done in the film room and put it in a situation where you can use that as an asset to be in upper management.”
“There’s a long way to go, but there’s been a long pathway covered by all those great players who came before us. All types of different personalities that have added to what we now know as this really great forming piece of the National Football League.”
