HB/FB / RB
Marcus Allen
Class of 2003
Pro Bowls
6
Receiving yards
5,411
Seasons
16
TDs
145
Yards rushing
12,243
"From the first day I played I knew I was better than the other guys. As a kid, you sense you can run faster or catch a little better. You can sense it, but you don’t think about it. You recognize some things are coming easier to you. I used to ask myself 'Why?’ Now I just accept it. I’ve been blessed, but my father always told me not to forget that there was someone out there better. So I worked really hard. I didn’t take it for granted.”
Enshrinement Speech
Career Highlights
Marcus Allen, the tenth player selected in the 1982 National Football League Draft, played 16 seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. During that time he gained 12,243 yards rushing, 5,411 yards receiving, and scored 145 touchdowns.
Considered one of the game’s best goal line and short-yardage runners, Marcus began his pro career as the NFL Rookie of the Year and ended as the game’s all-time rushing touchdown leader.
At the time of his retirement following the 1997 season, he held the single-season record for most rushing and receiving yards combined (2,314), second in consecutive 100-yard games, and was third in career-combined yardage. During his 11 seasons with the Raiders, the former University of Southern California standout, was named to the Pro Bowl five times. He added a sixth appearance in 1994, as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
He was the Raiders leading ground gainer seven consecutive years and the Chiefs four consecutive times. He even led the Raiders in receptions with 51 in 1987. Allen’s big-game performance in Super Bowl XVIII when the Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins 38-9 earned the then-second-year player game MVP honors. In that game he rushed for 191 yards and scored two touchdowns, one a Super Bowl record 74-yard gallop.
Allen’s finest season came in 1985, as he led the league with 1,759 rushing yards on 380 carries for a 4.6 yards per carry average and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 67 passes for 555 yards and scored an additional three touchdowns. For his performance he was rewarded with league MVP honors.
In 1995, Marcus made NFL history when he became the first player in league history to rush for over 10,000 yards and catch passes for 5,000 more. As further evidence of his versatility, Allen completed 12 of 27 passes for 282 yards and six touchdowns during his career.
In 15 career playoff games, he carried the ball 267 times for 1,347 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.0 yards per carry average. He also added 52 catches for 522 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||||
Year | Team | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Fum |
1982 | L.A. Raiders | 9 | 160 | 697 | 4.4 | 11 | 38 | 401 | 10.6 | 3 | 5 |
1983 | L.A. Raiders | 16 | 266 | 1014 | 3.8 | 9 | 68 | 590 | 8.7 | 2 | 14 |
1984 | L.A. Raiders | 16 | 275 | 1168 | 4.2 | 13 | 64 | 758 | 11.8 | 5 | 8 |
1985 | L.A. Raiders | 16 | 380 | 1759 | 4.6 | 11 | 67 | 555 | 8.3 | 3 | 3 |
1986 | L.A. Raiders | 13 | 208 | 759 | 3.6 | 5 | 46 | 453 | 9.8 | 2 | 7 |
1987 | L.A. Raiders | 12 | 200 | 754 | 3.8 | 5 | 51 | 410 | 8.0 | 0 | 3 |
1988 | L.A. Raiders | 15 | 223 | 831 | 3.7 | 7 | 34 | 303 | 8.9 | 1 | 5 |
1989 | L.A. Raiders | 8 | 69 | 293 | 4.2 | 2 | 20 | 191 | 9.6 | 0 | 2 |
1990 | L.A. Raiders | 16 | 179 | 682 | 3.8 | 12 | 15 | 189 | 12.6 | 1 | 1 |
1991 | L.A. Raiders | 8 | 63 | 287 | 4.6 | 2 | 15 | 131 | 8.7 | 0 | 1 |
1992 | L.A. Raiders | 16 | 67 | 301 | 4.5 | 2 | 28 | 277 | 9.9 | 1 | 1 |
1993 | Kansas City | 16 | 206 | 764 | 3.7 | 12 | 34 | 238 | 7.0 | 3 | 4 |
1994 | Kansas City | 13 | 189 | 709 | 3.8 | 7 | 42 | 349 | 8.3 | 0 | 3 |
1995 | Kansas City | 16 | 207 | 890 | 4.3 | 5 | 27 | 210 | 7.8 | 0 | 2 |
1996 | Kansas City | 16 | 206 | 830 | 4.0 | 9 | 27 | 270 | 10.0 | 0 | 2 |
1997 | Kansas City | 16 | 124 | 505 | 4.1 | 11 | 11 | 86 | 7.8 | 0 | 4 |
Career Total | 222 | 3,022 | 12,243 | 4.1 | 123 | 587 | 5,411 | 9.2 | 21 | 65 |
Championship Games
- 1983 AFC - Los Angeles Raiders 30, Seattle Seahawks 14
Allen started at running back. He had 25 rushes for 154 yards. He also had seven receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown.
- 1990 AFC - Buffalo Bills 51, Los Angeles Raiders 3
Allen started at running back. He had 10 rushes for 26 yards. He also had two receptions for 19 yards.
- 1993 AFC - Buffalo Bills 30, Kansas City Chiefs 13
Allen started at running back. He had 18 rushes for 50 yards and one touchdown. He also had two receptions for 36 yards.
Super Bowls
- Super Bowl XVIII - Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9
Allen started at running back. He had 20 carries for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 18 yards. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
All-League Teams |
All-Pro: 1982 (AP, PFWA, NEA, PW), 1985 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN)
All-Pro Second Team: 1984 (AP, NEA)
All-AFC: 1982 (UPI), 1984 (UPI, PW), 1985 (UPI), 1993 (UPI, PW)
All-AFC Second Team: 1986 (UPI)
Pro Bowls |
(6) – 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987*, 1988, 1994
* Did not play
In the NFL Record Book |
(at time of his retirement following the 1997 season)
• [1st] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Career – 123
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Career – 145
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 3,022
• [2nd] Most Consecutive Games, 100 or More Yards Rushing – 11 (1985-1986)
• [2nd] Most Combined Net Yards Attempts, Career – 3,624
• [2nd] Most Combined Net Yards Attempts, Season – 449 (1985)
• [3rd] Most Combined Net Yards Gained, Career – 17,648
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games, 100 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 11 (1985)
Super Bowl Records
• [1st] Longest Run From Scrimmage – 74 (Super Bowl XVIII)
• [1st] Highest Average Rushing Gain, Career – 9.6 (Super Bowl XVIII)
• [2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 191 (Super Bowl XVIII)
• [2nd] Highest Average Rushing Gain, Game – 9.6 (Super Bowl XVIII)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdowns, Game – 2 (Super Bowl XVIII)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Game – 2 (Super Bowl XVIII)
Post-Season Records
• [2nd] Highest Average Rushing Gain, Career – 5.04
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Games Scoring Touchdown – 7 (1982-1985)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Career – 5
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Yards Rushing – 3 (1983)
• [3rd] Longest run from scrimmage – 74 (Super Bowl XVIII)
• [3rd] Most Combined Net Yards Gained, Career – 1,877
Team Records |
Raiders’ records held by Allen
(Records through the 1992 season, Allen’s final season with Los Angeles)
• [1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 95
• [1st] Most Touchdowns, Season – 18 (1984)
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 2,090
• [1st Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 380 (1985)
• [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Career – 8,545
• [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Season – 1,759 (1985)
• [1st] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Career – 79
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Rushing Yards – 11 (1985-1986)
• [1st] Most Games 100 or more Rushing Yards – 22
• [Tied for 1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Game – 3 (vs. L.A. Rams, Dec. 18, 1982; vs. San Diego, Sept. 24, 1984; at Miami, Dec. 2, 1984; vs. San Diego, Oct. 28, 1985)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Points, Game – 24 (vs. San Diego, Sept. 24, 1984)
• [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns, Game – 4 (vs. San Diego, Sept. 24, 1984)
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Season – 13 (1984)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 33 (at Green Bay, Sept. 13, 1987)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 275 (1984)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Yards, Season – 1,168 (1984)
• [3rd] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Season – 12 (1990)
Post-Season Records
• [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Career – 933
• [1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career – 8
• [1st] Highest Rushing Average, Career – 5.9
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 25 (vs. Seattle, Jan. 8, 1984)
• [1st] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 191 (vs. Washington, Super Bowl XVIII)
• [1st] Longest Rush From Scrimmage – 74 (vs. Washington, Super Bowl XVIII)
• [Tied 1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 10
• [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Game – 2 (vs. Cleveland, Jan. 8, 1983; vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 1, 1984; vs. Washington Super Bowl XVIII)
• [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 157
• [2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 154 (vs. Seattle, Jan. 8, 1984)
• [2nd] Highest Average Rushing, Game – 9.6 (vs. Washington, Super Bowl XVIII)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 22 (vs. New England, Jan. 5, 1986)
• [3rd] Most Receptions, Career – 36
Chiefs’ records held by Allen
(Records through the 1997 season, Allen’s final season with Kansas City)
• [1st] Most Consecutive Games Scoring Touchdown – 7 (1993)
• [1st] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Career – 44
• [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Season – 15 (1993)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Season – 12 (1993)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Game – 3 (vs. Seattle, Dec. 5, 1993)
• [3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 932
• [3rd] Most Touchdowns Rushing, Season – 11 (1997)
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdowns, Game – 3 (vs. Seattle, Dec. 5, 1993)
Post-Season Records
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 100
• [1st] Most Yards Gained, Career – 386
• [1st] Most Combined Net Yards Attempts, Career – 147
• [1st] Most Combined Net Yards, Career – 541
• [Tied for 1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 3
• [Tied for 1st] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career – 3
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Points, Career – 18
• [Tied for 3rd] Most Yards Gained Rushing, Game – 94 (vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 7, 1995)
League/Team Statistical Titles |
NFL Statistical Championships
Touchdown Leader: 1982, 1984
Rushing Leader: 1985
Scoring Leader: 1982
AFC Statistical Championships
Touchdown Leader: 1982, 1984, 1993
Scoring Leader: 1982
Rushing Leader: 1985
Team Statistical Championships
Rushing Leader: 1982LA, 1983LA, 1984LA, 1985LA, 1986LA, 1987LA, 1988LA, 1993KC, 1994KC, 1995KC, 1996KC
Receiving Leader: 1987LA
Scoring Leader: 1982LA, 1984LA
LA Los Angeles Raiders KC Kansas City Chiefs
Awards and Honors |
• 1982 Rookie of the Year (PFWA, NEA, SN)
• 1982 AFC Rookie of the Year (UPI)
• 1982 Offensive Rookie of the Year (AP, PW)
• Super Bowl XVIII MVP
• 1985 NFL MVP/Player of the Year (PFWA, AP, SN)
• 1985 NFL Offensive MVP/Player of the Year (AP)
• 1985 AFC Offensive MVP (UPI)
• 1993 Comeback Player of the Year (PFWA)
Year-by-Year Team Records |
Year | Team | W | L | T | Division Finish |
1982 | Los Angeles Raiders | 8 | 1 | 0 | (1st*) |
1983 | Los Angeles Raiders | 12 | 4 | 0 | (1st) |
1984 | Los Angeles Raiders | 11 | 5 | 0 | (3rd) |
1985 | Los Angeles Raiders | 12 | 4 | 0 | (1st) |
1986 | Los Angeles Raiders | 8 | 8 | 0 | (4th) |
1987 | Los Angeles Raiders | 5 | 10 | 0 | (4th) |
1988 | Los Angeles Raiders | 7 | 9 | 0 | (3rd) |
1989 | Los Angeles Raiders | 8 | 8 | 0 | (3rd) |
1990 | Los Angeles Raiders | 12 | 4 | 0 | (1st) |
1991 | Los Angeles Raiders | 9 | 7 | 0 | (3rd) |
1992 | Los Angeles Raiders | 7 | 9 | 0 | (4th) |
1993 | Kansas City Chiefs | 11 | 5 | 0 | (1st) |
1994 | Kansas City Chiefs | 9 | 7 | 0 | (2nd) |
1995 | Kansas City Chiefs | 13 | 3 | 0 | (1st) |
1996 | Kansas City Chiefs | 9 | 7 | 0 | (2nd) |
1997 | Kansas City Chiefs | 13 | 3 | 0 | (1st) |
* AFC regular season finish in strike-shortened season. |
Full Name: Marcus LeMarr Allen
Birthdate: March 26, 1960
Birthplace: San Diego, California
High School: Abraham Lincoln (San Diego, CA)
Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: January 25, 2003
Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 3, 2003
Presenter: Harold "Red" Allen - Marcus's father
Other Members of Class of 2003: Elvin Bethea, Joe DeLamielleure, James Lofton, Hank Stram
Pro Career: 16 seasons, 222 games
Drafted: 1st round (10th overall) in 1982 by Oakland Raiders*
* team was still located in Oakland at time 1982 NFL Draft
Transactions: June 9, 1993 – Allen signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Uniform Number : #32
Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium
August 3, 2003
Harold "Red" Allen (presenter):
Thank you Chris, and good evening. First I want to thank God for he indeed set this day in motion many years ago. And, today is the end result, and I indeed give God praise.
I'd like to thank the Hall of Fame committee for being so kind to the Allen family, and it's great to see all the old-timers come back for the 40th anniversary. I congratulate the new members of the Hall of Fame.
Ladies and gentleman, this indeed is an honor and a pleasure to present a young man that God blessed me to be his father, and to be there for him in his growing up. Considering my father died when I was nine years old, I made a sincere effort to be the best father I could be for my children. Along with my wife's sharing this goal, Gwen and I put our best foot forward, and took the initiative to get involved in every aspect of our children's lives. It was a goal to provide a loving environment for our family.
I am a carpenter by profession. To become a successful builder, there are certain qualities you have to practice. Those same qualities I instilled in my kids – hard work, teamwork, and work ethic are needed to accomplish one's goals. I can proudly say, Marcus began to exhibit these abilities at a very young age. I took my sons to work with me and gave them an option of hammering nails all day long for a living or go to college. They chose college.
We reared our children to have faith in God, to know the importance of education, and make good choices and wise decisions through life's journey. Over the years, we often went camping, fishing, and hunting which I really enjoy. Now, we spend time on the golf course together. I developed a strong father and son relationship with Marcus. We both shared a great sense of humor together. It's nothing for him to call home and wake me up any time of night and tell me a joke or two.
Most of all, I cherish the time I spent with my son. Marcus, I pray that you will continue your faith in God, your love for family, your service to mankind. And, I stand here today as a proud father, and a good friend to honor the man you are today.
Ladies and gentleman, my son Marcus Allen.
Marcus Allen:
Thank you very, very much. Words do not measure the profound feeling I have at this moment that my father presented me. He vowed to be the father that he didn't have. He's been that and more. That's why it was so important for me to have my dad up here. Elvin Bethea, we talked. Unfortunately his parents weren't able to be a part of this, and I think they realize the importance to me to have my parents, and let the world know that they were great people, they are great people. That they cared for me, they loved me, and they nourished me and brought me this far and the reason that I am here is because of them. Thank you.
The genesis of my football life began many years ago with the inspiration of many of these gentlemen behind me. At 10 years old, I donned on the pads and I played for a pee wee team called the Lions. And I thought the player that inspired me the most because I was a cornerback was Lem Barney. My brothers can attest to this as well. We watched a game - the Cleveland Browns when Leroy Kelly had displayed some incredible moves in the mud. And like my brothers and I would always do, what we saw on television, we'd try to emulate at home. So, we went out in the backyard. We didn't have a lot of grass but we had a lot of dirt, and we watered down the backyard. And, as a result of that, I learned how to play in the mud and never had any trepidation about bad weather.
I see my high school coach over here to my left – Vic Player and Roy Reed. Thank you for your authority, thank you for your guidance, and thank you for your wisdom to move me to quarterback where USC got a glimpse of my running ability. I'm forever grateful. Thanks Vic and thanks Roy.
And, to (USC coach) John Robinson, my favorite coach, the greatest teacher-psychologist-motivator that ever came across, thank you for moving me from defensive back to running back and giving me this wonderful opportunity, because I would not be here and I'm forever thankful to you as well.
And John Jackson who was my position coach at USC who made me a running back in one total year. Well, actually, let me back up for one second. John Jackson put me at fullback. And, the first day of practice, I broke my nose, and he didn't let me out of practice for one second. And, he pushed and he pushed me and he pushed me. And, a year later, I was the tailback. And, then my senior year – because of John's work and his pushing, I was the first back to gain 2,000 yards in college. Thank you. I remember vividly the moment when John and I were in New York at the Downtown Athletic Club when they announced that I won the Heisman Trophy, and I saw a tear running down his eye. John, thank you so much.
To the Los Angeles Raiders, I'd like to thank Mr. Al Davis for drafting me. Mr. Ron Wolf, and Coach Tom Flores for putting his faith and trust in a rookie. Tom, I appreciate everything you did for me. And, to my position coach – Ray Willsey. Some assistant coaches never get a lot of credit but thanks to Ray Willsey. He liberated me. He understood the power of words. My rookie season, and I am sure most football players assume that professional coaches know more than the college coaches so they're always willing to do exactly what they say, to please them, to endear ourselves to the coaching staff. Well, Ray Willsey never once told me 'don't.' He never once said 'don't run like this, don't run like that, don't catch like this, or don't catch like that.' Ray Willsey said to me, 'Make sure,' he says, 'Marcus, make sure you get the first down. Make sure you know the down and distance.' And, that liberated me to be the expressive back that I was. And Ray, I see you back there in your shades. I never told you that, but thank you very much.
To Terry Robiske, who's now coaching with the Cleveland Browns. It's no secret I had some difficult times with the Raiders but if it wasn't for Terry Robiske, his humor and his friendship and a person who taught me more about football than just about anybody – thanks Terry. I see your kids there, but I don't see you but thank you, you know I love you.
To the Kansas City Chiefs, and Mr. Lamar Hunt, one of the kindest, most generous, most thoughtful man I ever met in my entire life. Thank you so much for allowing me to play for the Kansas City Chiefs. Carl Peterson, thank you. Marty Schottenheimer, thank you.
I love football. It's my DNA. Thank you for giving me the shot in the arm that I needed at that time in my life. I appreciate it. And to Jimmy Raye, another coach who's coaching with the New York Jets, who coached me at Kansas City. Thank you for being a friend as well and a great confidant. I learned a great deal from you on and off the field.
There's some friends out here, I'd like to thank. They were with me since the very, very beginning. Mike Orstein. Thanks Mike – take a stand buddy. And, my friend Jack Snyder who's been a dear, dear friend to me. I don't know where you are Jack, but you know I love you. Thank you very much.
And, a couple of years ago, guys, I was here and a young man was at the podium, and he paid me the greatest compliment. He said I was a warrior. And, in football circles that is the thing to be known as. And I was sitting down there and he was standing up here and now I stand up here and he's sitting back there. He's a warrior and ultimately he's my best friend. And, I'm very, very fortunate to rub shoulders with a guy who I admire. When I think about it, he was my roommate in college; I've been knowing him a long, long time. I'm talking about Ronnie Lott. He is the one player that has more influence over me than anybody I've ever met and he's truly a blessing in my life.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a couple of trainers out there who kept me on the field. I played 16 years and for a running back, that's an aberration. It doesn't happen very often. So, George Anderson, Rod Martin, Todd Sperber with the Raiders, Jack Ward at USC, to Dave Kindall, Bud Epps – thank you so much. Thanks for your caring, your support.
And have some teammates out there that I see. I don't know all of the players that are out there. But I see Rod Martin out there as well. Rod, that's my guy. USC baby. Big Otis McKinney, Frank Hawkins, Mike Davis I just saw walk up. A few of my Raiders teammates, few of my Kansas City teammates. Tony Richardson, Tony Gonzalez. I see Rod Barksdale out there.
No great deed is done alone guys. And, through your contributions, I'm up here. And, I thank you for all that from the bottom of my heart. I'm very, very sincere about that.
And, everyone has talked about the greatest teams they had. Yes, my great team has been my family. My mother and father – every single step of the way. They had six kids. My mother's been my team mother. My dad has been my little league coach, my football coach, he picks up me, he picks up my brothers from different practices. He goes from one place to another. He works from 7 to 3, get up, coaches – he's done it all. And, I would not be here if it wasn't for my parents. And, again I'm very, very thankful for that because, I want to tell you that while you're here.
To my great teammates – my brother Harold, who's my hero. My brother Damon – congratulations to him. He just passed 60,000 yards passing in the CFL and he's going to the Hall of Fame. That's another reason for my parents to be proud. Michael, I love you. Michelle, I love you, too. Darius, you know how I feel about you. I love you. Every inch, every yard, every hit, every hurt, every pain, every run I did because of you guys.
There's so many more people out there I want to thank, but because of time, I'm not allowed to. But, they're all my friends. For all those who supported me. All my friends at CBS. To "Dr. J." – Julius Erving – he's been an inspiration to me for a long, long time. Thank you.
From the bottom of my heart, I was so privileged and lucky to play this incredible game with so many incredible people. Thank you very much.