by Robert Steadman

Created on: March 11, 2009   Last Updated: March 20, 2009

Marcus Allen played at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Diego, California. Marcus Played quarterback and defensive back in high school. Then he went University of Southern California, there they switched Marcus Allen to running back from 1978-1981. Marcus was a back up for Heisman trophy winner Charles White for his first two seasons. In 1980, Marcus became a starter. Marcus rushed for 1,563 yards, the second most in the nation that year. In 1981, Marcus had one of the most spectacular seasons in N.C.A.A. history, Marcus rushed for 2,342 yards. Marcus became the first player in N.C.A.A. to rush over 2,000 yards in a season. U.S.C. retired Marcus' number #33 which was Coach John Robinson idea.

After College, Marcus was a tenth pick over-all in the first round of the 1982 N.F.L. draft by the Los Angeles Raiders. In Marcus' rookie season he rushed for only 697 yards, led the Raiders to the best record in the N.F.L 8-1, and the season was shortened by the strike. In 1983 Marcus would rush over 1,000 yards for the first time; he would do it again in 1984 and 1985. That season, Marcus rushed for 1,759 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 380 carries as Marcus led the Raiders to a 12-4 record and the A.F.C West title. Marcus was named the N.F.L.'s MVP.

Marcus Allen is best known for his heroics in the Super Bowl XVIII game against the Washington Redskins. Marcus ran for 191 yards, caught 2 passes for 18 yards, and scored two touchdowns to help beat the Redskins 38-9. The Raiders were the first team ever to win the Wild Card play-off game to go on and win the Super Bowl. Marcus Allen had a record for the longest run in the Super Bowl which stood 22 years, Marcus ran for a 74 yard touchdown. That was broken by Willie parker in Super Bowl XL by a yard. Marcus Also had a Super Bowl record for the most rushing yards that stood for four years that was broken by Timmy Smith in Super Bowl XXII. Timmy Smith ran for 204 yards.

Marcus Allen and Al Davis towards the end of his career did not get along. Marcus was dropped from being a starter to fourth string running back. Marcus knew that he could still play the game. Marcus asked for a trade, so the Raiders traded Marcus to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the Chiefs had Marcus Allen and Joe Montana, the chiefs now could run and throw the ball which they had a hard time doing before these two guys came to the Chiefs.

In 1993, Marcus won the N.F.L. comeback player of the year. Marcus and Joe took the Chiefs to the A.F.C championship game. Marcus had an awesome career with both the Raiders and the Chiefs. No one could play football the way Marcus Allen did. I loved watching Marcus Allen and Walter Payton play football. I love watching old tapes of these two guys play. In Marcus' career, he was a 6 time Pro-Bowler. Marcus rushed for 12,243 yards, and 123 touchdowns. Marcus rushing average was 4.1 yards per game. Marcus was inducted into the N.F.L. Hall of Fame in 1999 two years after he retired.

Learn more about this author, Robert Steadman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.