Though they never suited up together in Philadelphia, Eric Allen and Ricky Watters have immense respect for one another.
"The thing that made Ricky great was his versatility," Allen said. "He created mismatches and that's what football is all about. I have so much respect for him because he was able to do everything a running back is supposed to do. He's going to catch the ball out of the backfield. He's going to protect and block. He's big enough to handle the short-yardage situations. Then, he's great enough and elusive enough to have those explosive runs."
"Talk about a shutdown corner, he could do it all," Watters said. "He could come up and make a tackle on guys. He wasn't the biggest guy, but you talk about toughness, tenacity, smarts. He was always around the football.
"I would love to go in the Hall of Fame with Eric."
They missed each other by a year in Philadelphia. However, they could join forces in Canton, Ohio. On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame named Allen and Watters as two of the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2025.
Before the end of 2024, at some point in late December, the list will be whittled down to 15 finalists.
Allen and Watters combined to make 11 Pro Bowls during their illustrious careers. Each has made it to the semifinalist round of the Hall of Fame voting process five times. Allen was a first-time finalist last year.
"It's great to be in the mix. Obviously, you hope to push through and get farther along and even get in there, but it's great to be recognized when you play so hard," Watters said. "I've given everything I had for this game and for the three teams that I played for, so it feels great to get the recognition."
Allen was a second-round draft (No. 30 overall) pick out of Arizona State in 1988. He spent seven seasons in Philadelphia, where he earned five Pro Bowl selections, tied for most by a cornerback in Eagles history. Allen shares the franchise record for most career interceptions with 34 and set the NFL record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single season with four in 1993.
He was a Pro Bowl player in 1991 when the Eagles' Gang Green defense led the league in total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and rushing yards allowed. It's a Triple Crown that no team has achieved since.
In all, Allen finished his 14-year career (four years in Oakland, three with New Orleans) with 54 interceptions and nine total touchdowns. His 54 interceptions are tied for 21st in NFL history. Of the 20 players ahead of him, only six are not in the Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Eagles' 75th Anniversary Team and was enshrined in the team's Hall of Fame in 2011.
"I think the most important aspect of a cornerback's job is not just to cover guys, but to set a standard," Allen said. "Every team I was on, it was not just about covering guys. It was about taking the ball away."
Watters returned home as the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native joined the Eagles in 1995 after three seasons with the 49ers. In that time with San Francisco, Watters earned three Pro Bowl selections and won a Super Bowl, scoring three total touchdowns in the championship victory over San Diego. But he wanted to embark on a new era and not rest on his previous accomplishments.
"I was willing to prove myself. I was willing to work. I was always working to get better. Until I retired, I never stopped thinking about how I could get better. I never rested on my laurels. I was always trying to get better and better the team that I was on. That was my makeup and I think people saw that," Watters said.
"Philadelphia being close to my hometown, it was very special. When I was in Philadelphia, the people were so awesome to me. I really appreciated that. It was a lot of fun playing in Philadelphia because of the fans. It was awesome."
Even though Watters only spent three seasons with the team, he still ranks seventh in franchise history in rushing yards (3,794) and seventh in rushing touchdowns (31). He played 48 regular-season games for the Eagles. None of the people ahead of him on those lists played fewer than 80.
"The number one thing was how my teammates looked at me and how they received me, the fact that they made me a captain. They have to vote for you as a captain. They named me the Offensive MVP. Those are the things that I really remember and I really love the fact that I was able to come here, I told them I was going to prove myself, I knew I had to prove myself," Watters said.
Watters was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in Philadelphia. He surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing plateau in each of his three seasons. 1996 was the best year of his career as he gained 1,411 rushing yards, scored 13 rushing touchdowns, and led the league with 1,855 yards from scrimmage.
"We all played great. It wasn't just me. You can't do that by yourself. That takes a team effort," said Watters, who finished his career playing four years in Seattle. Watters ranks 25th all time in NFL rushing history with 10,643 yards and 27th with 14,891 yards from scrimmage.
Both Allen and Watters pay close attention to the current Eagles squad. Watters was proud to see his "little brother" LeSean McCoy, a fellow Harrisburg native, enter the Eagles Hall of Fame earlier this month. Watters joked that McCoy broke all of his records from Bishop McDevitt High School to the Eagles.
Of course, like every other sports fan, Watters couldn't hold back his reaction to the reverse hurdle Saquon Barkley pulled off against the Jaguars, fittingly enough in the Kelly Green uniforms.
"That move, that's something that they're going to always play over and over. I've never seen anyone else do a move like that," Watters said. "I love that he runs so hard. And as a running back, you have to have vision, and he obviously has that vision. He can cut on a dime. He's tough. I love tough running backs. He represents that."
Allen has been in awe of rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell's strong start to his NFL career. Allen noted that Mitchell possesses some of the traits that take young cornerbacks time to develop. Allen pointed to Mitchell's extensive experience of being "the guy" at Toledo.
"He does a great job of carrying these receivers through the break," Allen said. "He does a great job of spatial awareness, getting his hands through. I really like his game."
Allen and Watters share a lot in common from their Hall-of-Fame-worthy careers. In due time, they hope that a gold jacket is another.
