Physical pieces from Eric Allen's illustrious pro football career, and one prestigious item from his post-NFL career, are already on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After taking a "team photo" along with the Hall of Famers in attendance for this week's enshrinement, Allen dipped into the Hall edifice to speak about his reason for submitting these specific elements that are on display just inside the entrance that is teeming with fans.
"I tried to pick something from every point of my career that was significant to me," Allen explained while legendary Raiders greats and now fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers including Mike Haynes, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Rod Woodson and Ron Wolf filed by. "We don't know what they're going to put in there. So, the curator is looking throughout our career talking to us and saying, 'We think this is not only something that he is appreciative of, but the fan base would be able to kind of understand' so that was important.
Allen's memorabilia include jerseys from his days with the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.
"I definitely wanted to make sure that both teams that I rooted for and was able to play for were represented, and that's why the two jerseys are in, "said Allen. "And I couldn't have been here without those two jerseys."
They are joined by in the impressive collection by a letter penned by former Raiders great cornerback Lester Hayes, which reads:
"Dear Eric 'Haynes Jr.' Allen, It was a pleasure watching you on the football battlefield, you remind me so much of Hall of Famer Mike Haynes. You have accomplished every honor a N.F.L. defensive back can accomplish, except 1. You were 4 quarters and 1 play away from Super Bowl XXXV, you and #24 [Charles Woodson] are the best tandem C.B. in the N.F.L. Please, please don't retire, come back in 2001. You can fulfill your destiny, Super Bowl XXXVI. The old school loves you. Sincerely yours, Lester Hayes Hall of Fame Finalist 2001."
Allen described the letter as "awesome" and appreciated the "Haynes Jr." reference, alluding to, Mike Haynes who as Allen, was a former Arizona State star who went on to be productive performers for the Raiders and capped their respective careers with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Allen's post-NFL career is represented with an Emmy Award with an inscription that reads "Allen began an award-winning career in sports media shortly after retiring from the NFL in 2001. He won this Emmy in 2022 and another in 2023 for his work with the Las Vegas Raiders and Silver and Black Productions."
A memory from his days as an Eagle, who drafted him in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft as the 30th overall pick, is a game ball from the October 3, 1993, game versus the New York Jets when Allen returned an interception 94 yards in the late stages of the contest to provide the winning marking in the Eagles' 35-30 win. Steve Sabol of NFL Films tabbed this play "The Greatest Interception Return in NFL History."
His trophy for being named to the 1993 All-Madden team sits on the top shelf of the display.
"I think so highly of Coach [John] Madden. Having that award in was amazing," Allen expressed.
Also resting inside the glass-encased presentation is a photo of Allen with his Philadelphia teammates Reggie White, Seth Joyner, Clyde Simmons and Jerome Brown at the 1991 Pro Bowl, which was one of six Pro Bowls that he played in.
Soon after it's unveiled on stage at the enshrinement, the final piece on Allen's journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his bronze bust, will reside with his peers in perpetuity. During his enshrinement speech, Raiders legend John Madden mentioned that when the doors are closed and the hall is dark, the busts talk to each other.
For Allen, this will be a time when his bust will be able to talk to two men who were influential in his pro football journey.
"It'll probably Reggie [White, his Hall of Fame teammate with Philadelphia] without a doubt," Allen surmised, "and Al (Davis, the Raiders' Hall of Fame Owner) will probably talk to me first."
Take a look at some of the top photos from defensive back Eric Allen's Hall of Fame career as a Raider.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
