What a perfect start to this Eagles-Cowboys weekend.
Eric Allen, already enshrined as a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
"They were always thinking that they were the cream of the crop in the NFC East and that, again, going back to Buddy (Ryan), fanning that flame and making sure that we understood that the Dallas Cowboys were archenemies," Allen said on Saturday morning.
"We really made sure that we were dialed in. The week of practice was a little different, the attention to detail was always on point, but it was just a little bit of hot sauce in the meeting rooms when we were going against the Cowboys."
Allen is one of 15 modern-era finalists for induction. The Class of 2025 will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday, February 6, before Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
"You see the names and it's a rush that goes through you," said Allen, who is the only cornerback among the finalists.
It would be fitting as New Orleans was the site of one of Allen's many marquee performances in Kelly Green, the same jerseys that the Eagles are wearing on Sunday against Dallas.
On January 3, 1993, Allen sparked one of the greatest playoff comebacks in team history when he intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown in a 36-20 victory. Sure, the game didn't seem close, but the Eagles trailed 20-7 in the third quarter until Allen's first interception sparked the turnaround as Philadelphia scored the game's final 29 points, with Allen's 18-yard touchdown return the exclamation point with just over two minutes left in the game.
Against New Orleans once again, in a game at Veterans Stadium the following season, Allen scored not one, but two pick-sixes to tie the NFL single-game record as Philadelphia defeated New Orleans 37-26.
"Another team that at the time was our rivals because they weren't in the same division, but they had a really good defense. That was another team that we had to be on our best because of the eyes on the screen in the game were going to be focused on whose defense is better. Is it going to be Buddy's Boys or Gang Green versus the Dome Patrol?" Allen said.
"I go back to at the importance of John Madden being at your game. A lot of those times, he was there broadcasting those types of football games, so it was very important to, if you have that opportunity and you're dialed in, you're going to have chances to make plays, and it's just not good enough to knock the ball away. It was all about – and that was the most important thing with me – was not just covering the guy, but taking the ball away, and when you get it, being able to get it in the end zone."
This is the second straight year that Allen has been named as a finalist, but it is a critical year for him. Players are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after they retire and then have only 20 years to be a modern-era selection before entering what is called the Seniors Category, which is determined by a separate vote. Eagles Hall of Fame linebacker Maxie Baughan is one of three finalists for the Seniors Category this year.
This is Allen's 19th year on the ballot.
"It's disappointing because when you start to look at the longevity, the numbers, the impact, I put my 217 games started at cornerback up against anyone. When you start to really chip away at all those things and you're the only one that has the amount of interceptions, the touchdowns, the games played who is not in it ... it's surprising," Allen said.
"I understand that the Super Bowl is a measurable and the Super Bowl is humongous, but almost 20 years to keep you out? I just don't see it. I'm just really surprised and hopefully we don't have to think about that after a couple of weeks."
Originally selected by the Eagles in the second round (30th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, Allen was a six-time Pro Bowl selection (five with the Eagles, tied for most by a cornerback in team history), a three-time All-Pro, a member of the Eagles' 75th Anniversary Team and Hall of Fame, and an All-Rookie Team selection. The UPI chose Allen as its NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 when he tied the NFL record with four touchdowns off interceptions.
Allen shares the Eagles' all-time record for most interceptions with 34 (along with Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins), finishing with 54 for his entire career, which included seven seasons in Philadelphia, three in New Orleans (since he tortured the Saints so much), and four with the Raiders in Oakland.
His 54 interceptions are tied for 21st in NFL history. Only six players ahead of him are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Once he had the ball in his hands, Allen was a scoring machine with eight career pick-sixes, tied for eighth in NFL history. He added another four interceptions in the playoffs, with a touchdown.
Allen was a part of the legendary Gang Green defense that led the NFL in total yards, rushing yards, and passing yards allowed in 1991 – a rare triple crown. The Eagles also led the league in sacks and takeaways that year. Five members of that defense, including Allen, went to the Pro Bowl with Jerome Brown, Seth Joyner, Clyde Simmons, and Reggie White. All five of them are in the Eagles Hall of Fame.
"We had a connection to the city. They believed that their love for the Eagles showed on the defensive side of the ball, that commitment to playing defense, to being tough, to being rugged, to being able to overcome obstacles," Allen said. "It was letting the fan base know that our defense was not going to come to the ballpark and have any excuses. We still need to play at a high level. They held you accountable. They wanted to see 21 on that football field making plays. That's what they bought those tickets for, so I didn't want to let them down."
In his seven seasons in Philadelphia, he missed just one game due to injury.
