Damon Allen
No. 9 | |
Edmonton Eskimos | |
1989–1991 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
---|---|
1992 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
1993–1994 | Edmonton Eskimos |
1995 | Memphis Mad Dogs |
1996–2002 | BC Lions |
2003–2007 | Toronto Argonauts |
Career highlights and awards | |
CFL All-Star | 2005 |
CFL East All-Star | 2005, 1991 |
CFL West All-Star | 1999 |
Awards | 1987 Grey Cup MVP (Offence) 1993 Grey Cup MVP 1993 Eddie James Memorial Trophy 2004 Grey Cup MVP 2005 CFL MOP |
Career stats | |
Passing Comp | 5,158 |
Passing Att | 9,138 |
Passing Yards | 72,381 |
Passing TDs | 394 |
| |
Damon L. Allen (born July 29, 1963) is a former professional
Allen has been mentioned as one of the greatest CFL quarterbacks of all time after winning four Grey Cups with three different teams. He also was a three time Grey Cup MVP. In 2005, he was the CFL Most Outstanding Player at 42 years old, becoming the second oldest MVP of any North American sports franchise (oldest is Gordie Howe of the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association, MVP at age 46 in 1974). He was a formidable passer and rusher, as he retired only 323 rushing yards behind his brother Marcus. In 2012, he was elected into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
In May 2010, Allen launched the Damon Allen Quarterback Academy, in which he personally teaches the skills and strategies of quarterbacking to students of all ages and skill levels.[4]
In 2018, Allen was awarded the Order of Sport, marking his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.[5]
Personal life
Damon has three daughters and a son. They live in Oakville, Ontario.[6] Damon is employed as special assistant to the GM of the Toronto Argonauts.
Early years
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2018) |
Allen started playing football by the age of six for Valencia Park's
High school
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2018) |
In high school, Allen was a fine two sport athlete. In football he was the starting quarterback at
College career
Damon went on to play
Allen was sixteenth in overall voting for the 1984 Heisman Trophy. He also played in the Senior Bowl college All-Star game (completing 6 for 8 passes for 50 yards, 1 touchdown, and rushing for 20 yards on 3 carries).
Allen was not only an outstanding football player, he was also a superior baseball player. He helped his
College career statistics
NCAA Collegiate Career statistics
| |||||||||||
Cal State Fullerton Titans
| |||||||||||
Season | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Comp | Att | Yards | TD | Int | Att | Yards | TD | ||||
1981 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 0 | |||
1982 | 40 | 90 | 435 | 3 | 5 | 34 | 81 | 0 | |||
1983 | 103 | 200 | 1297 | 4 | 3 | 118 | 126 | 5 | |||
1984 | 178 | 330 | 2469 | 20 | 3 | 106 | 220 | 5 | |||
NCAA Career Totals | 322 | 629 | 4218 | 27 | 11 | 269 | 435 | 10 |
Professional career
Edmonton Eskimos
Allen joined the CFL as a free-agent in
Ottawa Rough Riders
In
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
In 1992, Allen signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In 18 games, Allen threw for 3,858 and 19 touchdowns, and rushed for 850 yards and 7 touchdowns, in his only season in "Steeltown." After the 1992 season, Allen was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos.
Edmonton Eskimos
In
Memphis Mad Dogs
In 1995, Allen signed as a free-agent with the Memphis Mad Dogs. He appeared in 15 games with the CFL expansion team, and threw for 3,211 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 of 390 passing. Allen also rushed for 427 yards in his only professional season in the United States.
BC Lions
In 1996, Allen joined the BC Lions.
In 1999, Allen was voted to the CFL's West Division All-Star team. He threw for 4,219 yards on 315 of 521 passing with 22 touchdowns, ran the ball 136 times for 785 yards and 8 touchdowns, and threw for more than 300 yards on five occasions.
In
Toronto Argonauts
In
In Week 9 of the 2004 season versus Montreal, Allen exited the game in the third quarter with a fractured left tibia, and spent Weeks 10–16 on the injured reserve roster. There was considerable concern that Allen, at 41 years of age, would never come back from such a severe injury, but he did. In Week 17, Allen dressed as the third quarterback (behind Michael Bishop and Romaro Miller) for a game against the BC Lions. In Week 18, Allen dressed as the backup quarterback behind Michael Bishop and entered the game versus the Calgary Stampeders at the end of the second quarter. Allen completed his first thirteen pass attempts, making him the second quarterback in Argonaut history (Mike Rae, 17 of 17 versus Montreal, August 12, 1975) to complete more than 12 passes consecutively in a game. Allen finished the game with 18 of 23 pass completions, and his 82.6% completion percentage ranks fourth in Argo history for a single game.
In the 2004 Grey Cup Championship against the BC Lions, Allen was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Player for third time in his legendary career. Allen led the Argos to their fifteenth Grey Cup Championship and won his fourth championship. Allen finished the game with 23 of 34 pass completions for 299 yards (longest gain, 34 yards) and 1 touchdown pass, and rushed 5 times for 10 yards (longest gain, 5 yards) and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Allen continued his assault on the record books during the 2005 CFL season. On October 27, 2005, Damon reached the 5,000-yard passing plateau for the first time in his 21-year CFL career by posting a 34–11 victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The win guaranteed Toronto a first-place finish in the CFL East plus home field advantage in the playoffs. The game took place before 40,085 fans; the largest crowd for a CFL game in Toronto since 1992. However, the Argonauts were defeated 33–17 in the 2005 East Final by the Montreal Alouettes, thereby thwarting their hopes of repeating their 2004 Grey Cup win.
In 2005, Allen won his first
In
On September 4, 2006, at the Labour Day Classic against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Allen broke Warren Moon's record (70,553 yards) to become professional football's all-time passing leader. The record-setting completion, a 29-yard shovel pass to wide receiver Arland Bruce III, took place at 5:02 of the third quarter. The game was suspended briefly for a presentation by CFL Commissioner Tom Wright. Allen's triumphant pose with the record-breaking football was captured by a photographer and later released by the Argos as a commemorative poster on their website.
In November 2006, Allen was voted one of the CFL's Top 50 players (#14) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network The Sports Network/TSN.
On January 18, 2007, Allen underwent successful surgery to repair the middle finger of his (right) throwing hand and was back in the gym training, in less than 24 hours.
On February 28, 2007, Allen re-signed a contract with the Argonauts for one year plus an option .
Allen started the 2007 season as the Argos starting quarterback beating out
Allen announced that his retirement as a player on May 28, 2008,[9][10][11][12][13] but will stay with the Argos as a special advisor to CEO Pinball Clemons.[14]
Post-retirement
In 2018, Allen was awarded the Order of Sport, marking his induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.[5]
Career statistics
Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | GP | GS | Att | Comp | Pct | Yards | TD | Int | Rating | Att | Yards | Avg | Long | TD | Fumb | ||
1985 | EDM
|
16 | 2 | 98 | 48 | 49.0 | 661 | 3 | 3 | 68.5 | 36 | 190 | 5.3 | 18 | 5 | 3 | ||
1986 | EDM
|
18 | 1 | 87 | 49 | 56.3 | 878 | 8 | 3 | 107.4 | 31 | 245 | 7.9 | 39 | 6 | 2 | ||
1987 | EDM | 18 | 6 | 287 | 150 | 52.3 | 2,670 | 17 | 13 | 85.3 | 66 | 562 | 8.5 | 40 | 6 | 8 | ||
1988 | EDM | 10 | 7 | 218 | 94 | 43.1 | 1,309 | 4 | 12 | 46.2 | 33 | 130 | 3.9 | 13 | 1 | 5 | ||
1989 | OTT | 13 | 12 | 434 | 209 | 48.2 | 3,093 | 17 | 16 | 69.6 | 75 | 532 | 7.1 | 51 | 1 | 7 | ||
1990 | OTT | 17 | 17 | 528 | 276 | 52.3 | 3,883 | 34 | 23 | 79.6 | 124 | 776 | 6.3 | 41 | 7 | 9 | ||
1991 | OTT | 18 | 18 | 546 | 282 | 51.6 | 4,275 | 24 | 31 | 68.7 | 129 | 1,036 | 8.0 | 42 | 8 | 6 | ||
1992 | HAM | 18 | 18 | 523 | 266 | 50.9 | 3,858 | 19 | 14 | 76.2 | 111 | 850 | 7.7 | 37 | 7 | 18 | ||
1993 | EDM | 18 | 16 | 400 | 214 | 53.5 | 3,394 | 25 | 10 | 92.4 | 120 | 920 | 7.7 | 43 | 6 | 8 | ||
1994 | EDM | 18 | 17 | 493 | 254 | 51.5 | 3,554 | 19 | 15 | 75.2 | 120 | 707 | 5.9 | 43 | 7 | 11 | ||
1995 | MEM | 15 | 14 | 390 | 228 | 58.5 | 3,211 | 11 | 13 | 80.6 | 63 | 427 | 6.8 | 25 | 0 | 5 | ||
1996 | BC | 14 | 13 | 368 | 219 | 59.5 | 2,772 | 13 | 10 | 83.5 | 52 | 400 | 7.7 | 31 | 2 | 7 | ||
1997 | BC | 18 | 18 | 583 | 378 | 64.8 | 4,653 | 21 | 11 | 93.5 | 111 | 837 | 7.5 | 28 | 8 | 9 | ||
1998 | BC | 18 | 18 | 479 | 282 | 58.9 | 3,519 | 16 | 16 | 79.0 | 115 | 782 | 6.8 | 29 | 2 | 5 | ||
1999 | BC | 18 | 18 | 521 | 315 | 60.5 | 4,219 | 22 | 13 | 89.9 | 136 | 785 | 5.8 | 30 | 8 | 13 | ||
2000 | BC | 18 | 18 | 525 | 324 | 61.7 | 4,840 | 24 | 11 | 98.4 | 58 | 284 | 4.9 | 34 | 2 | 7 | ||
2001 | BC | 16 | 16 | 471 | 251 | 53.3 | 3,631 | 18 | 14 | 79.0 | 86 | 580 | 6.7 | 45 | 2 | 10 | ||
2002 | BC | 18 | 18 | 474 | 268 | 56.5 | 3,987 | 22 | 10 | 90.9 | 70 | 479 | 6.8 | 22 | 4 | 7 | ||
2003 | TOR | 16 | 15 | 450 | 267 | 59.3 | 3,395 | 17 | 10 | 86.3 | 76 | 507 | 6.7 | 26 | 4 | 9 | ||
2004 | TOR | 11 | 9 | 312 | 189 | 60.6 | 2,438 | 12 | 4 | 92.6 | 40 | 212 | 5.3 | 32 | 3 | 0 | ||
2005 | TOR | 17 | 17 | 549 | 352 | 64.1 | 5,082 | 33 | 15 | 102.7 | 85 | 467 | 5.5 | 26 | 4 | 9 | ||
2006 | TOR | 18 | 14 | 335 | 198 | 59.1 | 2,567 | 12 | 11 | 81.5 | 25 | 197 | 7.9 | 22 | 0 | 1 | ||
2007 | TOR | 9 | 2 | 67 | 45 | 67.2 | 492 | 3 | 0 | 103.6 | 4 | 15 | 3.8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | ||
CFL totals | 370 | 304 | 9,138 | 5,158 | 56.4 | 72,381 | 394 | 278 | 83.8 | 1,766 | 11,920 | 6.7 | 51 | 93 | 161 |
References
- ^ "Calvillo becomes CFL's all-time leading passer | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". Archived from the original on 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ "CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". Archived from the original on 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
- ^ "Argos' Allen is football's top passer". CBC News. 2006-09-04.
- ^ Damon Allen Quarterback Academy
- ^ a b "2018 Induction Celebrations". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2018-04-29. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ Ormsby, Mary (2007-06-16). "Damon Allen's other team comes first". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2008-12-09. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ISBN 978-1-897277-26-3
- ^ "7th Round of the 1984 MLB June Amateur Draft | Baseball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- ^ "CFL legend Damon Allen announces retirement". Toronto Argonauts Football Club. 2008-05-28. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ "Veteran CFL quarterback Damon Allen announces his retirement". Canadian Press. 2008-05-28. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ Goldstein, Yoni (2008-05-28). "Yoni Goldstein on Damon Allen's amazing career". National Post. Retrieved 2008-05-28.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Naylor, David (2008-05-28). "Allen decides to call it quits". Toronto: Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ Longley, Rob (2008-05-28). "Allen to quietly walk away from Argos". London Free Press. Retrieved 2008-05-28. [dead link]
- ^ Koshan, Terry (2008-05-29). "Allen calls it a career". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
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