The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 25 modern-era semifinalists for the 2024 class on Tuesday, and former Raider Eric Allen was named a semifinalist. Allen was drafted with the 30th pick of the second round in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Allen was one of the top defensive backs in his time with the Eagles. With Philadelphia, Allen set an Eagles franchise record with 34 interceptions. In 1993 alone, Allen had six interceptions and four defensive touchdowns to lead the NFL. Allen was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2011.
1994, Allen left the Eagles and signed with the New Orleans Saints. He would play there for seven seasons before moving to the Oakland Raiders. In three seasons with the Saints, Allen intercepted five passes. With the Raiders, Allen resurrected his career. In four seasons with the Raiders, Allen had 15 interceptions, including three for touchdowns in 2000. Allen is the only player in NFL history to have two years of three or more interception returns for touchdowns. As a Raiders fan, Allen was among my favorite players in the Silver and Black. Allen and Charles Woodson made an outstanding cornerback tandem in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Allen put together several good seasons with the Eagles before ending his career with a solid run for the Raiders; a member of the All-Decade team of the 1990s, six Pro Bowls, and the 1989 All-Pro team, Allen finished his career with 54 interceptions and nine defensive touchdowns. If Allen intercepted a pass, he was a threat to score. Allen matched up with some of the great wide receivers in the NFL and held his own. Allen and Michael Irvin had some classic battles in the 90s. Irvin had plays where he would beat Allen, then Allen would turn around and break up a pass or intercept one.
Allen is among the most underrated players in NFL history and should be in the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, one day, he will be able to get in.
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