Marcus Allen Childhood

Marcus Allen was born on March 26, 1960 in San Diego, CA. He is the son of Harold and Gwendolyn Allen. Marcus had an active childhood. He was part of the choir at his church. He also played a variety of sports growing up. It was part of his father’s plan to keep him and his brothers busy. His father even managed a little league team that he played for. Allen would continue playing multiple sports into high school.

Marcus Allen High School Stats and Awards

Allen attended Lincoln High School. He was an all-around gifted athlete who played football, basketball, baseball and track. Football was the sport he excelled in the most. During his high school football career he earned All-City honors. Skilled at different positions on the field, Allen shined as a running back and accepted a scholarship offer from USC.

Marcus Allen College Career Stats and Notes

Allen played for USC from 1978-81. He rushed for 4,810 yards and 45 TDs during his college career. He led the Trojans to three bowl game appearances including two Rose Bowls. In 1981 Allen rushed for 2,427 yards and 22 TDs. His fantastic season earned him the 1981 Heisman Trophy. Along with winning college football’s highest honor, Allen won the Maxwell and Walter Camp Award, named Pac-10 Player of the Year (1981) and was a 2-time All-American.   

Marcus Allen NFL Career Stats and Notes

Allen was selected 10th overall in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Raiders. He spent the first eleven seasons of his career with the Raiders. In 1993, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Although some thought his career was over, Allen bounced back with the second chance. In his first season with the Chiefs, Allen led the league in rushing touchdowns with 12. That year he also made the Pro Bowl. Allen played five seasons in Kansas City before retiring after the 1997 season. Marcus Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Marcus Allen Super Bowl XVIII MVP Performance

In Super Bowl XVIII, Marcus Allen put on one of the greatest rushing performance in NFL and Super Bowl history. The Los Angeles Raiders and the Washington Redskins squared off in the big game, but it wasn’t close. The Raiders dominated the game 38-9 with Allen taking home Super Bowl MVP honors. He rushed for a Super Bowl record 191 yards, breaking the record of 166 set the previous year by the Redskins’ John Riggins. Allen put his stamp on the game in the 3rd quarter when he took the ball to the left reversed his run and sprinted up the middle of the field for a sensational 74-yard TD run, the longest in Super Bowl history at the time.  

List of Pro Football Hall of Fame Members