Months prior to his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Eric Allen overflowed with retrospection.

How his big brother as well as high school sweetheart who became his bride were early-on his Rocks of Gibraltar, his cornerstones, his anchors. How they mused and turned dreams, rainbows, reverie into reality.

"My wife [Lynn] and I used to dream in high school about playing in the NFL and to now be in the position, I mean, it's indescribable," said Allen prior to taking his rightful place alongside the greatest of the greatest in professional football annals. "It's very emotional and it's overwhelming. I want to say, 'thank you' to so many people who helped me get to this point."

Allen's big bro was also on his mind.

"It's a way to give shout outs to all those folks who are great along the way, who no one knows of, like my brother, Craig, is probably the biggest ambassador for me. And early on, when I was Arizona State, he was like, 'Man, you could play in the league.' And I was like, 'Man, I'm just trying to get to the Rose Bowl, bro.' But he was probably my biggest supporter. He was eight years older than me, so he was almost like a father figure.

"He really instilled in me about the work ethic and how you have to really do those things outside of practice in the games to really be a great performer. And so, it's an opportunity, hopefully, to give respect to all those people who have had my back since day one."

There was the moment in early July when, at his San Diego home surrounded by his sons, Allen unboxed his Gold Jacket, symbolic of him being #379 of 382 members now in the Hall. Allen finally got to don that jacket when he was helped by yet another Raiders legend who is in the Hall, fellow San Diego native Marcus Allen, in putting on the jacket for the first time during the Gold Jacket dinner on the Friday night before enshrinement. Family, wife Lynn and the four boys joined him on stage for the uber-special moment.

There was "The Knock" in early February when his Arizona State teammate, Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel, traveled to Southern California to deliver the news that Allen, who was a finalist the year before, would finally be inducted. Again, family was present and joined in celebrating with a toast.

There was the Hall of Fame Parade in August the morning of the enshrinement ceremony that proceeded through the streets of downtown Canton. Yes, family was right there, two carloads of the Allens traversing the route where they received their much-deserved adulation.

Prior to loading into the convertible, Allen, this cool-as-a-cucumber fellow, became teeming with sentiment reflecting on the previous night.

"I was OK in the beginning, but once my family came on stage, I kind of, you know, the tears started rolling a little bit. Ut's been amazing."

Along with family, friends were on hand for Allen's enshrinement and many took a flight to Ohio that fittingly included a layover in Las Vegas where a Southern Nevada based contingent of the Eric Allen Hall of Fame celebration crew joined them. The atmosphere on board the four-hour flight was the king of revelry reserved for flights INTO the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World rather than those departing to the Midwest destination.

Fast forward to the moment when he was onstage at the podium and Allen, as was the case throughout his career, executed his coverage with fundamental perfection.

Yes, family was the overarching theme.

Sons Austin, Jordan, Noah and Hunter alternated speaking glowing about their father on the field. The eldest, Austin, who presented his father, concluded with sharing Allen's greatest attribute.

"He's the most consistent man I know, not just on the field, but off the field," Austin said. "I always know what I'm getting. He's always there for me. The way he treats my mom, the way he treats us. He's a real special dude. I am honored and privileged to present my father, Eric Allen, into enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Love you, Pops!"

Family was who Allen recognized in the early, middle and late segments of his enshrinement speech.

His grandmother: "A beautiful woman inside and out. Always a kind word in difficult situations and her famous living pound cake on the stove after a good game, which I had many."

His mother: "She's got that independent spirit, that tremendous work ethic, the incredible belief that I could accomplish anything. My mom was a woman of confidence and courage. I love you, Mom."

Brother Craig: "He carried me in the house after the hospital. He was a little disappointed I couldn't play catch on that first day, right? I was just a baby, right? But his time with me, his ability to understand what I needed to do to be successful. He poured into me. His precious time that he was willing to give me made all the difference. And that's one of the big reasons why I'm standing here today. I love you Craig."

His childhood neighborhood in San Diego: "It felt as though every home was extended family and I just remember those days very fondly. So right now, I'd like to thank the Websters, the Phillips, the Belchers, Adams, Landers, Taylors and Holts. Those families, along with my grandmother, my mom, and Craig, are the reason why I'm standing here right here today."

His father and father-in-law: "It's important to know it's about living a full life. Living a life that you want to respect everyone around you. Living a life that you can respect others around you. Have an outstanding and full, better life like my dad Earl did, like my father-in-law Dapper Dan. That's what it is about, living that type of life."

His sister and sister in-laws: To my sister, Valerie, and my sister-in-laws. They are the life of the party. You will definitely find that out if you're at the party. Don't talk stats because they know them all. You are the backbone of the family. You've helped us tremendously. You've always been there when we've needed to lean on you. I know that Grandma Babe is smiling on us now and is so excited for where we are right now. And I know Grandma Allen, up there in heaven, is ready for that big hug."

The family theme went on and on for Allen during his time on the stage.

"To my granddaughter Presley and her incredible mom, Nicole. You're in the sunshine in my life. You make papa's life so much better because you're in it. I love you guys."

His wife, Lynn: "Lynn Marie, you're perfect in my eyes. No words can express how much you mean to me and the family. For all the times I forgot to say, 'I love you and you're beautiful. I love you and you're beautiful.' You've had my back from day one, 15 years old. You've been there behind me. I love you always and forever."

Allen then came back full circle to the men shown before he took the stage, to whom he described as "…the most significant job and passionate thing for me that I do. And that's being a dad to my four sons. Austin, Hunter, Jordan, and Noah."

Fittingly, Allen ended his moment of pro football glory with, of course, family.

"For all of my family, I want you understand that I'm here for you. Know that you have a center. … You're always welcome with me and my wife Lynn."

Family is at the heart of the matter for Eric, always has been, always will. They are woven into the fabric of his Gold Jacket that will reside in the Allen lineage.