Latest news with #MarcusAllen
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Marcus Allen in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 33 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at the first Heisman winner on the list—USC Heisman Trophy running back Marcus Allen. Position: Running back Years played at USC: 1978-1981 Career highlights: Allen did not start at running back for USC his first two years, because the Trojans had another Heisman winner in the backfield: the late, great Charles White. After winning a national championship as a freshman backup in 1978, Allen started at fullback in 1979. Following the graduation of White, Allen took over as USC's featured back in 1980. After rushing for more than 1,500 yards that season, he shattered the record book as a senior in 1981. That year, Allen became the first player in college football history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, carrying the ball 403 times for an incredible 2,342 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named a Unanimous All-American and won just about every award that he was eligible for, including the Heisman Trophy, becoming the fourth USC running back to take home the honor. Allen's retired jersey No. 33 hangs in the Peristyle at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. After USC: Allen did not have to move very far after graduating, as the newly-moved Los Angeles Raiders selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. Playing his home games in the Coliseum, just as he did in college, Allen quickly became a star for L.A. In eleven seasons with the team, he was named to five Pro Bowls, made first-team All-Pro twice, made second-team All-Pro once, won MVP, offensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and Super Bowl MVP, leading the Raiders to a victory in Super Bowl XVII. Allen spent the final five years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, making another Pro Bowl and winning comeback player of the year in 1993. Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He is the only player in football history to win a college football national championship, the Heisman Trophy, a Super Bowl, NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and be named a Unanimous All-American.
3 days ago
- Sport
Eric Allen turns 14-year career as a standout cornerback into a Hall of Fame nod
Among all of the impressive accomplishments that helped Eric Allen make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the fact that he maintained his elite level of play so he never had to move from cornerback in his 14 seasons stands out. From his first game as a rookie as part of Buddy Ryan's fierce defenses in Philadelphia in 1988 to his final game as a savvy veteran for the Oakland Raiders in 2001, Allen shut down opposing receivers as well as anybody. 'I take tremendous pride in that,' Allen said. 'But to be able to be on the corner from day one to the last game of my career, being a starter and being an effective player, it means a lot. ... I'm not a DB, I'm a corner. I'm not going to be all snobby. But it's different positions.' And few played it as well as Allen and now he had gotten the ultimate recognition when he will be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. "I played against a lot of really good corners. I think Eric was one of the smartest I've played against," said Rich Gannon, who played against Allen early in his career and was a teammate at the end with the Raiders when Allen and Charles Woodson would match up against Jerry Rice and Tim Brown in heated practice sessions. 'He was really clever. He jumped certain routes, recognized certain things. He's one of those guys, if you're going to throw in his direction, you better see him. You just can't put your foot in the ground and think the receiver's got separation. He'd bait you. He'd act like he got beat or he was off. He had great recovery skill, good recovery speed. There just wasn't a lot of weakness in his game.' Allen credits his preparation for his success that included six Pro Bowl berths, one All-Pro selection in 1989, two second-team selections and 54 interceptions. Allen grew up playing both ways and envisioned himself as being Marcus Allen, growing up in San Diego. Those running back skills paid dividends in the NFL with nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, including one in a playoff win for Philadelphia over New Orleans in the 1992 season and a league-leading four in the 1993 season alone. "That always seemed like a requirement for the position, don't just intercept it but when you catch it, run. That's your opportunity to show your moves," he said. 'So when you get the ball, it's your time to turn to Marcus Allen. It was a requirement. If you play the cornerback, if you catch the ball and you get to try and score.' Allen's career started in Philadelphia in 1988 with his rookie season ending with a playoff loss in the famous 'Fog Bowl' game at Chicago. It ended with another famous playoff loss when the Raiders lost to New England in the 'Tuck Rule' game following the 2001 season. 'That's crazy,' he said. 'I talk about that a lot too. Two things that were definitely beyond our control.' Allen's biggest memory of the Tuck Rule game came just before that fateful play when he overheard Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis discuss the play call that had a slant as the first option. Allen told linebacker William Thomas to cover the first open widow and Allen was there to jump the route if Brady waited — which is exactly what happened but Woodson forced what was called a fumble on the field only to get overturned on a replay that still haunts the Raiders from that game today. When coach Jon Gruden was traded away from Oakland a few weeks later, Allen decided it was time to retire and missed the Raiders run to the Super Bowl in 2002. 'I just thought that was maybe the perfect time to book end my career,' he said. All that was left was the wait for the call from the Hall of Fame that came earlier this year when former Arizona State teammate Randall McDaniel delivered the news. 'The people around me, my circle, it really kind of relieved for them,' Allen said. 'I was never panicked or ever in a situation where, oh, man, I'm not going to get in. I came to peace about this a long time ago, Whenever I get in will be perfect.'
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Eric Allen turns 14-year career as a standout cornerback into a Hall of Fame nod
Among all of the impressive accomplishments that helped Eric Allen make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the fact that he maintained his elite level of play so he never had to move from cornerback in his 14 seasons stands out. From his first game as a rookie as part of Buddy Ryan's fierce defenses in Philadelphia in 1988 to his final game as a savvy veteran for the Oakland Raiders in 2001, Allen shut down opposing receivers as well as anybody. 'I take tremendous pride in that,' Allen said. 'But to be able to be on the corner from day one to the last game of my career, being a starter and being an effective player, it means a lot. ... I'm not a DB, I'm a corner. I'm not going to be all snobby. But it's different positions.' And few played it as well as Allen and now he had gotten the ultimate recognition when he will be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. "I played against a lot of really good corners. I think Eric was one of the smartest I've played against," said Rich Gannon, who played against Allen early in his career and was a teammate at the end with the Raiders when Allen and Charles Woodson would match up against Jerry Rice and Tim Brown in heated practice sessions. 'He was really clever. He jumped certain routes, recognized certain things. He's one of those guys, if you're going to throw in his direction, you better see him. You just can't put your foot in the ground and think the receiver's got separation. He'd bait you. He'd act like he got beat or he was off. He had great recovery skill, good recovery speed. There just wasn't a lot of weakness in his game.' Allen credits his preparation for his success that included six Pro Bowl berths, one All-Pro selection in 1989, two second-team selections and 54 interceptions. Allen grew up playing both ways and envisioned himself as being Marcus Allen, growing up in San Diego. Those running back skills paid dividends in the NFL with nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, including one in a playoff win for Philadelphia over New Orleans in the 1992 season and a league-leading four in the 1993 season alone. "That always seemed like a requirement for the position, don't just intercept it but when you catch it, run. That's your opportunity to show your moves," he said. 'So when you get the ball, it's your time to turn to Marcus Allen. It was a requirement. If you play the cornerback, if you catch the ball and you get to try and score.' Allen's career started in Philadelphia in 1988 with his rookie season ending with a playoff loss in the famous 'Fog Bowl' game at Chicago. It ended with another famous playoff loss when the Raiders lost to New England in the 'Tuck Rule' game following the 2001 season. 'That's crazy,' he said. 'I talk about that a lot too. Two things that were definitely beyond our control.' Allen's biggest memory of the Tuck Rule game came just before that fateful play when he overheard Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis discuss the play call that had a slant as the first option. Allen told linebacker William Thomas to cover the first open widow and Allen was there to jump the route if Brady waited — which is exactly what happened but Woodson forced what was called a fumble on the field only to get overturned on a replay that still haunts the Raiders from that game today. When coach Jon Gruden was traded away from Oakland a few weeks later, Allen decided it was time to retire and missed the Raiders run to the Super Bowl in 2002. 'I just thought that was maybe the perfect time to book end my career,' he said. All that was left was the wait for the call from the Hall of Fame that came earlier this year when former Arizona State teammate Randall McDaniel delivered the news. 'The people around me, my circle, it really kind of relieved for them,' Allen said. 'I was never panicked or ever in a situation where, oh, man, I'm not going to get in. I came to peace about this a long time ago, Whenever I get in will be perfect.'
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Eric Allen turns 14-year career as a standout cornerback into a Hall of Fame nod
Associated Press Among all of the impressive accomplishments that helped Eric Allen make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the fact that he maintained his elite level of play so he never had to move from cornerback in his 14 seasons stands out. From his first game as a rookie as part of Buddy Ryan's fierce defenses in Philadelphia in 1988 to his final game as a savvy veteran for the Oakland Raiders in 2001, Allen shut down opposing receivers as well as anybody. 'I take tremendous pride in that,' Allen said. 'But to be able to be on the corner from day one to the last game of my career, being a starter and being an effective player, it means a lot. ... I'm not a DB, I'm a corner. I'm not going to be all snobby. But it's different positions.' And few played it as well as Allen and now he had gotten the ultimate recognition when he will be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. "I played against a lot of really good corners. I think Eric was one of the smartest I've played against," said Rich Gannon, who played against Allen early in his career and was a teammate at the end with the Raiders when Allen and Charles Woodson would match up against Jerry Rice and Tim Brown in heated practice sessions. 'He was really clever. He jumped certain routes, recognized certain things. He's one of those guys, if you're going to throw in his direction, you better see him. You just can't put your foot in the ground and think the receiver's got separation. He'd bait you. He'd act like he got beat or he was off. He had great recovery skill, good recovery speed. There just wasn't a lot of weakness in his game.' Allen credits his preparation for his success that included six Pro Bowl berths, one All-Pro selection in 1989, two second-team selections and 54 interceptions. Allen grew up playing both ways and envisioned himself as being Marcus Allen, growing up in San Diego. Those running back skills paid dividends in the NFL with nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, including one in a playoff win for Philadelphia over New Orleans in the 1992 season and a league-leading four in the 1993 season alone. "That always seemed like a requirement for the position, don't just intercept it but when you catch it, run. That's your opportunity to show your moves," he said. 'So when you get the ball, it's your time to turn to Marcus Allen. It was a requirement. If you play the cornerback, if you catch the ball and you get to try and score.' Allen's career started in Philadelphia in 1988 with his rookie season ending with a playoff loss in the famous 'Fog Bowl' game at Chicago. It ended with another famous playoff loss when the Raiders lost to New England in the 'Tuck Rule' game following the 2001 season. 'That's crazy,' he said. 'I talk about that a lot too. Two things that were definitely beyond our control.' Allen's biggest memory of the Tuck Rule game came just before that fateful play when he overheard Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis discuss the play call that had a slant as the first option. Allen told linebacker William Thomas to cover the first open widow and Allen was there to jump the route if Brady waited — which is exactly what happened but Woodson forced what was called a fumble on the field only to get overturned on a replay that still haunts the Raiders from that game today. When coach Jon Gruden was traded away from Oakland a few weeks later, Allen decided it was time to retire and missed the Raiders run to the Super Bowl in 2002. 'I just thought that was maybe the perfect time to book end my career,' he said. All that was left was the wait for the call from the Hall of Fame that came earlier this year when former Arizona State teammate Randall McDaniel delivered the news. 'The people around me, my circle, it really kind of relieved for them,' Allen said. 'I was never panicked or ever in a situation where, oh, man, I'm not going to get in. I came to peace about this a long time ago, Whenever I get in will be perfect.' ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3 in this topic
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
$1 billion in school mental health grants won't be renewed; PA organizations are worried
(WHTM) – The Strong Minds, Bright Futures is a statewide partnership of over 60 organizations dedicated to improving youth mental health across Pennsylvania. They are strongly urging the Department of Education to reconsider the decision to cut $1 billion in federal grants supporting school-based mental health services. 'I think many of our kids, our families and even our teachers and principals don't yet understand the negative impact that this is going to have,' said CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marcus Allen. Advocates say if this decision is not reversed, it will leave more than 250,000 students across the Commonwealth without mental health support. Families will lose access to school counselors, social workers, and programs designed to support students' well-being and prevent youth suicide. 'The Trump administration taking a wrecking ball to this funding that provides these critical services for students who are experiencing behave, role and emotional challenges. It's incredibly shortsighted,' said Chris Lilienthal with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. This funding stems from a law passed in 2022 following the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The law is called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. 'It was designed to help schools hire mental health professionals including counselors and social workers,' said Allen. 36 schools across Pennsylvania received funding, including four in the Midstate. Senator John Fetterman shared a statement with abc27: 'We're facing a mental health crisis in this country, and I don't know any Pennsylvanian who thinks our kids have the mental health support system they need in our classrooms. As a senator, but more importantly, as a parent, I'm working to improve access and increase the number of counselors in our schools. Instead, the Trump administration is gutting the very program that would make these improvements possible. It's a cruel move that will only hurt our kids. I'm calling on the administration to immediately reverse course.' Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary, Madi Biedermann said in a statement: 'The Department decided not to continue funding these grants beyond the initial award terms. These grants are intended to improve American students' mental health by funding additional mental health professionals in schools and on campuses. Instead, under the deeply flawed priorities of the Biden Administration, grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help. We owe it to American families to ensure that tax-payer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students' mental health.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
