Jeff Allen (defensive back, born 1948)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1948)}}
{{Distinguish|Jeff Allen (defensive back, born 1958)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jeff Allen
| number = 37
| position = Defensive back / running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|8|27}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 190
| high_school = Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago)
| college = Central (IA) (1967)
Iowa State (1968–1970)
| draftyear = 1971
| draftround = 13
| draftpick = 329
| pastteams =
- St. Louis Cardinals ({{NFL Year|1971|1973}})
- Lake County Rifles (1973)
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 1
| pfr = AlleJe21
}}
Jeffery Allen (born August 27, 1948) is an American former football running back and defensive back who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football for the Central Dutch and Iowa State Cyclones and was selected in the 13th round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Cardinals. He was injured for most of his rookie season, only playing one game, and missed the following season due to injury before being released early in 1973.
Early life and education
Allen was born on August 27, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois.{{Cite web |title=Jeff Allen Stats |url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playera/alle05300.html |website=Pro Football Archives |access-date=2023-07-27 |archive-date=2023-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727222110/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playera/alle05300.html |url-status=live }} He attended Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Chicago and had his number (22) retired upon graduation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/carroll-daily-times-herald/128985101/|newspaper=Carroll Daily Times Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 29, 1971|page=6|title=Allen Signs|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071201/https://www.newspapers.com/article/carroll-daily-times-herald/128985101/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |date=August 9, 1973 |title=Jeff Allen, other grid stars sign with Lake County Rifles |page=14 |work=The Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel/128985231/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071205/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel/128985231/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In addition to playing football for the school, Allen also was a member of their basketball team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/128985432/|newspaper=The Pantagraph|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 11, 1967|page=16|title=Fairbury Loses, 61-51|publisher=PNS|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071200/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/128985432/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He attended Central College in Iowa for one year, 1967, being a top halfback for their football team, with performances that included posting 284 yards in one game.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch/128985910/|newspaper=The Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 27, 1967|page=29|title=Sitting In|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907072707/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch/128985910/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Allen transferred to play at Iowa State University in 1968, playing wingback and being the Cyclones' second wide receiver on the depth chart, as well as one of their return specialists.{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1971 |title=Allen Signs |page=10 |work=Ames Daily Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-daily-tribune/128986162/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907072705/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-daily-tribune/128986162/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In the first game of the season, he had the team's longest touchdown of the game, scoring from 32-yards out on a run.{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1968 |title='Rat' Springs the Trap |page=63 |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/128986267/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907072705/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/128986267/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} His "ability to scramble through small holes" earned him the nickname "Rat" from his teammates.
Allen finished his first season with the Cyclones as their leading touchdown scorer with 11 and also led the nation and set a Big 8 Conference record with 21 kickoff returns for 599 yards, being named the conference's sophomore of the year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/128986817/|newspaper=Quad-City Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 20, 1969|page=15|title=Cyclones Open Against Always-Tough Syracuse|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071201/https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/128986817/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Offensively, he ran the ball 57 times for 309 yards and caught 17 passes for 277 yards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jeff-allen-3.html|website=Sports Reference|title=Jeff Allen College Stats|access-date=2023-10-19|archive-date=2023-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029143005/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jeff-allen-3.html|url-status=live}} He started 16 consecutive games for the team over the 1968 and 1969 seasons before missing a game in November 1969 against Oklahoma due to injury.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal/128986867/|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 6, 1969|page=14|title=Wingback Jeff Allen Rated Questionable for ISU-Husker Tilt|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071210/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal/128986867/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He totaled 24 carries for 59 yards and 17 receptions for 149 yards in the 1969 season. As a senior in 1970, Allen switched to playing cornerback.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/128987106/|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 27, 1970|page=21|title=Tisdale's Switch: He'd Rather Hit|author=White, Maury|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071200/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/128987106/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He finished his three-year stint at Iowa State as their all-time leading kick returner with 1,549 yards.
Professional career
Allen was selected in the 13th round (329th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1971nfldraft.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1971 NFL Draft|access-date=2023-07-27|archive-date=2023-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727224404/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1971nfldraft.html|url-status=live}} While many players from Iowa State have been selected in the draft, he became one of just two alumni of Central College to ever be chosen; the other one, Vern Den Herder, was also a 1971 draft pick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/iowast/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Iowa St. Players/Alumni|access-date=2023-07-27|archive-date=2023-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727224404/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/iowast/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/centralcoll(ia)/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Central College (IA) Players/Alumni|access-date=2023-07-27|archive-date=2023-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727222110/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/centralcoll(ia)/|url-status=live}} He signed his rookie contract at the end of June.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil/128987673/|newspaper=The Daily Nonpareil|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 30, 1971|page=19|title=Cyclone Goes Pro|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071201/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil/128987673/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} On August 3, he was placed on the reserve list after catching an illness while in training camp.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier/128987804/|newspaper=The Courier|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 4, 1971|page=36|title=Allen On Reserve|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907072706/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier/128987804/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} After recovering, Allen was activated on November 2 and sent to the taxi squad.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988068/|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 3, 1971|page=14|title=Big Red Sign Jeff Allen|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071208/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988068/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Allen was activated from the taxi squad for the Cardinals' week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988202/|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 16, 1971|page=31|title=Big Red Add Allen To Running Corps|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071207/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988202/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Although a cornerback, Allen was called up to play running back, his original position in college, due to injuries to other players at the position.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988319/|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 17, 1971|page=23|title=Cowboys Plan To 'Do A Job' On Ailing Big Red|author=Meyers, Jeff|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071202/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988319/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He made his NFL debut against Dallas, but recorded no statistics in the 31–12 loss.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJe21/gamelog/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Jeff Allen Career Game Log|access-date=2023-07-27|archive-date=2023-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727230045/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJe21/gamelog/|url-status=live}} This would be the only game of his career, as he subsequently suffered a leg injury, missed the entire 1972 season after being placed on injured reserve, and was released in July 1973 after failing a physical.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJe21.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Jeff Allen Stats|access-date=2023-07-07|archive-date=2023-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162534/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlleJe21.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chillicothe-constitution-tribune/128988562/|newspaper=The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 14, 1972|page=2|title=Roster Change|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071203/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chillicothe-constitution-tribune/128988562/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988642/|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 20, 1973|page=34|title=Four Players Flunk Big Red Physicals|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907071202/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/128988642/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} After his release from the NFL, Allen went on to play minor league football with the Lake County Rifles.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{St. Louis Cardinals 1971 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Jeff}}
Category:Players of American football from Chicago
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Central Dutch football players
Category:Iowa State Cyclones football players
Category:American football running backs
Category:St. Louis Cardinals (football) players