Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame

BIOGRAPHY

Eric Allen

Cornerback

Eagles Career: 1988-94

Eagles Hall of Fame Induction: 2011

Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction: 2025

A second-round draft choice of the Eagles in 1988, Eric Allen played seven seasons in Philadelphia, earning five Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections. He is tied for the Eagles' all-time record with 34 interceptions. Allen also holds the team mark with five interception return touchdowns, including an NFL-record-tying four in 1993. A native of San Diego, CA, Allen played collegiately at Arizona State. He went on to play for the New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders. He finished his career with 54 interceptions and nine total touchdowns.

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Eric Allen is elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

A member of the illustrious 1991 Gang Green defense, Allen finally gets his due as the first Eagles cornerback to reach Canton.

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Gang Green: The 1991 Eagles Defense

Our Eagles Confidential show takes an in-depth look at the vaunted 1991 Eagles defense. The unit lead the league in seemingly every category ...

YEAR-BY-YEAR

1988: Eric Allen was drafted by the Eagles in the second round (30th overall) out of Arizona State. As a rookie, he started all 16 games and had five interceptions and 65 tackles. He earned a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

1989: It didn't take long for Allen to establish himself as one of the league's best cornerbacks, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in Year 2. Allen had a career-high eight interceptions in 15 games.

1990: Allen didn't make the Pro Bowl in Year 3, but he still had a strong season with 63 tackles and three interceptions.

1991: Year 4 marked the start of Allen earning five straight trips to the Pro Bowl. Allen helped the Eagles' Gang Green defense, one of the league's all-time best units, lead the league in yards allowed against the run, the pass, and in total defense. No defense has accomplished the feat since. Allen was also named second-team All-Pro.

1992: Allen posted a career-high 72 tackles this season, adding four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Posted two interceptions, including a pick-six, in NFC Wild Card win over New Orleans.

1993: Allen took his playmaking to another level this season, tying an NFL record at the time with four interceptions returned for touchdowns. United Press International (UPI) named Allen as its Defensive Player of the Year. Recorded two pick-sixes in a single game.

1994: In his last season in Philadelphia, Allen had 57 tackles while registering three interceptions.

Career

• His 34 interceptions are tied with Brian Dawkins and Bill Bradley for the most in Eagles history

• Eagles' career leader for interceptions returned for touchdowns with 5

• Tied for third-most interceptions in an Eagles postseason career (3)

• Tied for the fourth-most multi-interception games in Eagles history (4)

• Missed just one game in seven seasons with Eagles

• 6-time Pro Bowl selection (5 with Eagles)

• 3-time All-Pro (All with Eagles)

• 1993 UPI Defensive Player of the Year

• Eagles' 75th Anniversary Team selection

• Eagles and Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee

RELATED CONTENT

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Microsoft Teams Legend of the Week: Eric Allen

Eric Allen is the Honorary Captain for Sunday's Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers. Allen, a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, shares how the intensity changes in the playoffs and relives his magical Wild Card performance against the New Orleans Saints in the 1992 season as the Microsoft Teams Legend of the Week.