Marcus Allen

Marcus Allen's Biography

Marcus LeMarr Allen was born on March 26, 1960, in San Diego, California. He is an American former professional football player who has etched his name in the annals of the National Football League (NFL) as one of the greatest running backs in history. Allen’s career spanned across 16 successful seasons, with the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.

From a very young age, Allen showcased remarkable athletic prowess. His high school years were spent at Abraham Lincoln High in San Diego, where his performances as a quarterback and safety attracted nationwide attention. Allen’s standout performance came in 1977 in a game against Kearny High School, where he led Abraham Lincoln High to a 34-6 victory, scoring five touchdowns and rushing for 195 yards. His outstanding performances earned him the Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Football award in 1977, setting the stage for a glittering football career.

Allen went on to attend the University of Southern California (USC), where he primarily served as a running back from 1978 to 1981. Having started his freshman year as a safety, Allen was quickly switched to tailback by coach John Robinson. In 1981, he rushed for a phenomenal 2,342 yards, making him one of only two players in NCAA history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. For his remarkable performances, Allen was recognized as the Heisman Trophy winner, Pac-10 Player of the Year, and received the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award.

Following his exceptional college football career, Allen declared for the 1982 NFL draft. The Los Angeles Raiders picked him 10th overall, marking the beginning of his documented professional career. In his debut season, Allen rushed for 697 yards and led the Raiders to a top-rated AFC performance with a record of 8-1, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

In the 1985 season, Allen enjoyed a standout NFL career year where he rushed for 1,759 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, leading the Raiders to a 12-4 record and the AFC West Division Championship. His extraordinary performances earned him the NFL MVP award.

Allen played a pivotal role in the Raider’s victory at Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984, where he ran for 191 yards, caught two passes for 18 yards, and scored two touchdowns as the Raiders comfortably beat the Washington Redskins 38-9.

Allen’s professional career witnessed him run a total of 12,243 yards and catch 587 passes for 5,412 yards, as he scored an impressive 145 touchdowns throughout his career. This feat set a then-league-record of 123 rushing touchdowns. Throughout his career, Allen was selected for the Pro Bowl six times and held the distinction of being the first NFL player to achieve more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards during his career.

Throughout the later part of his career, Allen had a tense relationship with Raiders’ owner Al Davis, which eventually culminated in his move to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993. His performances remained strong, and he continued to showcase his remarkable athletic ability until his retirement in 1997.

Allen’s name has been immortalized, not just in the NFL but also in the International Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Allen’s significant contributions to NFL and college football have ensured that his name will forever be remembered as one of the greatest to play the game.

Away from the field, Allen married Kathryn Eickstaedt in 1993, a union that would last until 2001. Despite the public scrutiny their relationship underwent due to their connection to O.J. Simpson’s trial, Allen always maintains his composure and dignity.

A pioneer, a record-breaker, an athlete, and a gentleman, Marcus LeMarr Allen’s life off and on the football field remains a story of success and unmatched sporting prowess. A man who has won the Heisman Trophy, a Super Bowl, and an NFL MVP award, Allen continues to be an embodiment of talent, dedication, and perseverance.