A pair of Las Vegas Raiders legends are that much closer to getting their well-deserved place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year.
The list continues to shrink for next year’s class, meaning two players in particular could be headed to Canton, Ohio. Former All-Pro cornerback Eric Allen, a fan favorite among Raider Nation and current analyst for the Silver and Black, could go in as a “Modern Era” representative. Second, we have Art Powell. An All-Pro in his own right, Powell received the designation in 1963, his first season with the Raiders. On top of that, No. 84 got four total nods as a Pro Bowler from 1963 to 1966.
Eric Allen: The Playmaker of the 90s for the Raiders
Allen, for his part, received most of his accolades earlier in his career. He didn’t join the Raiders until the final phase of his playing days. Be that as it may, that didn’t devalue his impact. Allen played a key role in the resurgence of Silver and Black in the late 1990s, heading into the 21st century.
In fact, Allen started an impressive 56 games for the Raiders. All while recording three defensive touchdowns—that alone is a remarkable feat, as he intercepted opposing quarterbacks 15 times during his four Raiders seasons. A true ballhawk and playmaker, Allen accumulated a whopping 40 pass deflections during that run, along with two forced fumbles.
Art Powell: An Underrated Legend
Younger Raiders fans tend to overlook players from past eras. Be that as it may, Art Powell had a dominant run as a receiver for the Silver and Black. In his first two years, 1963–1964, Powell amassed 2,665 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns, averaging 18 yards per reception (17.9) during that time. Another impressive tidbit: Powell scored double-digit touchdowns in each of his four years with the Raiders: 16, 11, 12, and 11 again, respectively.
Both Powell and Allen could be joining the likes of Ray Guy, Charles Woodson, and Ken Stabler in the Pro Football Hall of Fame soon enough.
*Top Photo: Al Golub Photography