(The NFL Hall of Fame committee today announced it’s 25 finalist for the class of 2021 and for the first time Eagles All Time Great Eric Allen was on the list. My only question is, what took so long! Allen was part of the Buddy Ryan Gang Green Defense that terrorized the NFL from the late eighties to mid-nineties. He was the Cornerback all other Eagles aspire to be, he had the knack for the ball, but also would lay the wood.
My first Eagles game I ever attended was in 1988. It was Allen’s rookie year and they played the Houston Oilers. Wide Receiver Ernest Givens came across the middle. Allen LAID HIM OUT!! stood over him in a way that would draw 15 yards in today’s game. Yeah I was hooked as a fan.
Allen was not the brash cornerback that is seen in the NFL today. He was a contemporary of the great Deion Sanders. (Sander by the way has campaigned for Allen to be in the Hall) While Sanders told the world how great he was, Allen just played the game as A shutdown corner. He was quiet, but excellent. His 34 career interception tops to Eagles all time list. Allen’s highlights include an NFL record 4 inception returns for a touchdown in a single season and a 94 interception return that NFL Films called the greatest interception return of all-time. See here: https://youtu.be/Ef28VF7k6Rw
Allen career numbers match up with other Cornerbacks of his era. Other than Sanders, Aeneas Williams and Ty Law who are both currently in the Hall of Fame would who Allen would be compared to. Below are all 3 players career stats. I will put Allen’s right there with them.
Eric Allen
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
789
3.0
6
7
54
9
Aeneas Williams
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
795
55
Sacks:
3.0
5
13
Ty Law
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
838
169
53
7
5.0
Allen has been Hall of Fame worthy for years, the Hall of Fame committee is finally taking notice. by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)