CB
Eric Allen
Class of 2025
All-Pro
1989
Interceptions
54
Pro Bowls
6
Seasons
14
A cornerback out of Arizona State University, Eric Allen was chosen with the 30th overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. His career spanned 14 seasons, which included 217 games for the Eagles (1988-1994), New Orleans Saints (1995-97) and Oakland Raiders (1998- 2001).
With five interceptions as a rookie, Allen’s impact was felt immediately, earning him a spot on the 1988 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
His best statistical season came in his second year in Philadelphia, when he totaled eight interceptions, a career high. Allen earned first-team All-Pro honors and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
Allen led his team in total interceptions seven times, four seasons in Philadelphia and three in Oakland.
His four interceptions returned for a touchdown in 1993 were tied for the most in NFL history at the time of his retirement in 2001. United Press International (UPI) named Allen the Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 after he led the league in total interception yards and touchdowns.
After being traded to the Raiders in 1998, he helped the franchise win the AFC West in back-to-back seasons, which had not been done since the early 1980s.
His eight career interception returns for touchdowns were tied for third most in league history after his final season.
A six-time Pro Bowler (1989, 1991-95), Allen also earned second-team All-Pro honors twice (1989, 1993). For his career, he played in 217 regular-season games (214 starts) and nine playoff games, recording four interceptions — one of them a pick-six — in the postseason.
His career totals include 54 interceptions for 826 yards and eight scores.
Allen was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame in 2011 and named to their 75th Anniversary Team in 2007.
|
Interceptions
|
||||||
| Year | Team |
G
|
No.
|
Yds
|
Avg
|
TD
|
| 1988 | Philadelphia Eagles |
16
|
5
|
76
|
15.2
|
0
|
| 1989 | Philadelphia Eagles |
15
|
8
|
38
|
4.8
|
0
|
| 1990 | Philadelphia Eagles |
16
|
3
|
37
|
12.3
|
1
|
| 1991 | Philadelphia Eagles |
16
|
5
|
20
|
4.0
|
0
|
| 1992 | Philadelphia Eagles |
16
|
4
|
49
|
12.3
|
0
|
| 1993 | Philadelphia Eagles |
16
|
6
|
201
|
33.5
|
4
|
| 1994 | Philadelphia Eagles |
16
|
3
|
61
|
20.3
|
0
|
| 1995 | New Orleans Saints |
16
|
2
|
28
|
14.0
|
0
|
| 1996 | New Orleans Saints |
16
|
1
|
33
|
33.0
|
0
|
| 1997 | New Orleans Saints |
16
|
2
|
27
|
13.5
|
0
|
| 1998 | Oakland Raiders |
10
|
5
|
59
|
11.8
|
0
|
| 1999 | Oakland Raiders |
16
|
3
|
33
|
11.0
|
0
|
| 2000 | Oakland Raiders |
16
|
6
|
145
|
24.2
|
3
|
| 2001 | Oakland Raiders |
16
|
1
|
19
|
19.0
|
0
|
| Career totals |
217
|
54
|
826
|
15.3
|
8
|
|
Additional career statistics: One fumble recovery touchdown. |
||||||
Championship Games
2000 AFC — Baltimore Ravens 16, Oakland Raiders 3
- Allen started at right cornerback and made two tackles.
| ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS |
All-Pro: 1989 (AP, PFWA)
All-Pro Second Team: 1989 (NEA), 1991 (AP, NEA), 1993 (AP)
All-NFC: 1989 (PFWA, UPI), 1992 (UPI), 1993 (PFWA, UPI)
All-NFC Second Team: 1994 (UPI), 1995 (UPI)
| PRO BOWLS |
(6): 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
| NFL RECORDS |
At the time of his retirement following the 2001 season
• [1st - tied] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, season — 4 (1993)
• [1st - tied] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, game — 2 (vs. Saints, Dec. 25, 1993)
• [2nd - tied] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, season — 3 (2000)
• [3rd - tied] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, career — 8
| TEAM RECORDS |
Eagles records held by Allen
Records through the 1994 season, Allen's final season with the Eagles
• [1st] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, career — 5
• [1st] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, season — 4 (1993)
• [1st] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, game — 2 (vs. Saints, Dec. 25, 1993)
• [1st - tied] Most interceptions, career — 34
• [2nd] Longest interception return — 94 yards, TD (at Jets, Oct. 3, 1993)
• [2nd] Most interception return yards, career – 482
• [2nd] Most interception return yards, season — 201 (1993)
• [4th] Most games with multiple interceptions — 4
Postseason records
• [1st - tied] Most interceptions, game — 2 (at Saints, Jan. 3, 1993)
• [3rd - tied] Most interceptions, career — 3
Raiders records held by Allen
Records through the 2001 season, Allen's final season with the Raiders
• [1st] Most interceptions returned for touchdown, season — 3 (2000)
| LEAGUE/TEAM STATISTICAL TITLES |
NFC statistical championships
Interception titles: 1989
Team statistical championships
Interception titles: Eagles — 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993; Raiders — 1998, 1999, 2000
| YEAR-BY-YEAR TEAM RECORDS |
| Year | Team | W | L | T | Divison Finish |
| 1988 | Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | 6 | 0 | (1st) |
| 1989 | Philadelphia Eagles | 11 | 5 | 0 | (2nd) |
| 1990 | Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | 6 | 0 | (2nd) |
| 1991 | Philadelphia Eagles | 10 | 6 | 0 | (3rd) |
| 1992 | Philadelphia Eagles | 11 | 5 | 0 | (2nd) |
| 1993 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8 | 8 | 0 | (3rd) |
| 1994 | Philadelphia Eagles | 7 | 9 | 0 | (4th) |
| 1995 | New Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | (5th) |
| 1996 | New Orleans Saints | 3 | 13 | 0 | (5th) |
| 1997 | New Orleans Saints | 6 | 10 | 0 | (4th) |
| 1998 | Oakland Raiders | 8 | 8 | 0 | (2nd) |
| 1999 | Oakland Raiders | 8 | 8 | 0 | (4th) |
| 2000 | Oakland Raiders | 12 | 4 | 0 | (1st) |
| 2001 | Oakland Raiders | 10 | 6 | 0 | (1st) |
Qualified for postseason in bold.
Full name: Eric Andre Allen
Birthdate: Nov. 22, 1965
Birthplace: San Diego, California
High school: Point Loma (Calif.)
Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jan. 14, 2025
Other members of the Class of 2025: Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, Sterling Sharpe.
Pro career: 14 seasons, 217 games.
Drafted: 2nd round (30th overall) in 1988 by Philadelphia Eagles
Uniform number: 21