If you’re a fan of the NFL or even NFL sports betting, we don’t need to tell you that Marcus Allen is one of the greatest Las Vegas Raiders ever and one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL, period.
Marcus Allen played 16 seasons for the Las Vegas Raiders (during the era they were called the Los Angeles Raiders), from 1982 to 1992, a decade during which he was regularly hailed as the best running back in the league.
Alongside Gene Upshaw, Jim Otto, and Art Shell, Marcus Allen is a certified Raiders legend, and he has the incredible career statistics, records, and accomplishments to back it up.
With the 2023 NFL regular season just around the corner and the NFL draft done, what better time to pay tribute to one of the greatest Raiders ever: Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen.
Early Days For Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen—full name Marcus LeMarr Allen—was born on March 26, 1980, in San Diego. From his early junior and senior days at Abraham Lincoln High School, he quickly showed his natural sports talent on the field, leading his school team to two city championships while earning the San Diego Section Player of the Year twice in a row.
His football career only skyrocketed from there, as Marcus Allen earned numerous scholarship offers from college football programs all over the country. His decision landed him at USC in 1978, where he excelled playing for the Trojans up until 1981.
A year later, Marcus Allen began his standout career with the Raiders, then called the Los Angeles Raiders.
NFL Career With The Raiders
Marcus Allen racked up 222 regular-season games in total during his career, 145 of which he played for the Raiders. He was chosen by the Raiders (Los Angeles Raiders) in 1982 in the first round of the NFL draft and quickly established himself as one of the league’s newest running backs to keep a watchful eye on.
He peaked during the 1983, 1984, and 1985 seasons, rushing for almost 4,000 yards in 48 games. It was during this time that Marcus Allen became one of the Raiders’ star players as well as one of the best running backs in the league.
Of course, this was largely due to the Raiders’ Super Bowl win in 1983—Super Bowl XVIII.
Marcus Allen played a huge part in leading the team to the final, and his performance in the game was nothing short of spectacular. He rushed for 191 yards (a Super Bowl record at the time), scored two touchdowns, and caught two passes for 18 yards, with the final result—38-9—over the Washington Redskins bagging him the Most Valuable Player award.
Marcus Allen continued his strong form for the 1985 and 1986 seasons, after which he started sharing the backfield with Bo Jackson, an act of good sportsmanship despite him still being in his prime that didn’t go unnoticed by fans and the media.
From the 1987 season on, Marcus Allen’s last years with the Raiders were troubled by conflict with Al Davis, knee injuries, and relegation to team backup. But despite that, Marcus Allen is still remembered for his NFL career with the Raiders, most notably for helping the team win their last Super Bowl.
Legacy And NFL Records
After playing for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1993 to 1997, Marcus Allen announced his retirement after the 1997 season ended. Six years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003, as well as the California Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Over the course of his career, Marcus Allen broke records and earned multiple achievements, including Super Bowl MVP, NFL MVP, and induction into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Marcus Allen was also the seventh player in NFL history to rush for over 10,000 yards, earning his place in the 10,000 Rushing Yards Club.
Above all, however, his legacy continues to live on with NFL fans for his unforgettable Super Bowl win, his overall contribution to the Raiders, and for being one of the greatest running backs the NFL has ever seen.
After retiring, Marcus Allen continued his association with the NFL, working for NBC Sports and the NFL Network and supporting various philanthropic causes within Los Angeles.
Final Word
Allen’s achievements during his 10-year career with the Raiders are impressive, so there’s no wonder why he’s considered one of the best Raiders players ever, as well as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the sport!
From shining during his school and college days at USC to getting drafted in the first round, winning the Super Bowl, and breaking records as the Raiders star running back, Allen is just one of those players that won’t ever be forgotten. His legacy continues to grow even to this day!
*Top Photo: Sporting News
Raiders: 3 Biggest Needs On The Roster Heading Into The 2023 Campaign