Eric Allen joins Raiders legends in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Editor’s note: “Behind the News” is the product of Sun staff assisted by the Sun’s AI lab, which includes a variety of tools such as Anthropic’s Claude, Perplexity AI, Google Gemini and ChatGPT. All information is sourced from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Few franchises in professional sports boast a tradition as storied — or as star-studded — as the Raiders. This weekend, that legacy grows once again as Eric Allen, one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks of his era, takes his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. Allen’s induction not only celebrates a remarkable career spanning over a decade but also extends a proud Raiders lineage in Canton, Ohio.

Allen’s career statistics include 54 interceptions and eight defensive touchdowns. Allen earned six Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro First Team honor while serving as a key leader for the Raiders’ 2000 AFC Championship appearance. He tallied six interceptions, three returned for touchdowns — a franchise record — and was instrumental in helping the Raiders secure a 12-4 record and their first AFC West division title in a decade.

Raiders Hall of Fame inductees

Ron Mix (T, 1971) — Mostly known for his years with the Chargers, Mix joined the Raiders briefly at the end of his career. Hewas inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Jim Otto (C, 1960-1974) — Otto played center for 15 seasons and never missed a game, appearing in 210 consecutive contests. Known as “00,” he was renowned for his toughness and consistency throughout his career. Otto was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

George Blanda (QB/K, 1967-1975) — Blanda played until the remarkable age of 48, contributing as both quarterback and kicker for the Raiders. He finished his career with 2,002 points scored.

Willie Brown (CB, 1967-1978) — An elite ballhawk and leader of the Raiders’ defense with 54 career interceptions, Brown is perhaps most famous for his interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XI.

Gene Upshaw (G, 1967-1981) — The seven-time Pro Bowl selection anchored the Raiders’ offensive line and was instrumental in two of the Raiders’ Super Bowl wins.

Fred Biletnikoff (WR, 1965-1978) — Renowned for running precise routes and possessing great hands, Biletnikoff compiled 589 career receptions and was named MVP of Super Bowl XI.

Art Shell (T, 1968-1982) — Shell was a dominant left tackle who protected Raiders quarterbacks for over a decade, earning eight Pro Bowl selections, and later returned to the organization as head coach.

Ted Hendricks (LB, 1975-1983) — Known as “The Mad Stork,” Hendricks was a long, athletic playmaker who intercepted 26 passes and won three of his four Super Bowl rings with the Raiders.

Al Davis (Owner, 1963-2011) — Davis served as owner, coach and GM, becoming an iconic figure with his “Just win, baby” philosophy. His revolutionary impact on the league and the Raiders organization, including three Super Bowl championships as owner, earned him Hall of Fame recognition in 1992.

Mike Haynes (CB, 1983-1989) — Haynes joined the Raiders after starring in New England and became a key contributor to the team’s Super Bowl XVIII victory. He finished his career with 46 interceptions.

Eric Dickerson (RB, 1992) — The legendary running back who amassed 13,259 career rushing yards spent just one season with the Raiders during the twilight of his career.

Howie Long (DE, 1981-1993) — Long was the hallmark of power and versatility on the Raiders’ defensive line throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, recording 84 career sacks.

Ronnie Lott (S, 1991-1992) — The legendary safety mostly known for his time with the 49ers, had a short but impactful stint with the Raiders late in his career.

Dave Casper (TE, 1974-1980, 1984) — Casper was the prototypical receiving tight end with 378 career receptions and is best known for his “Ghost to the Post” playoff performance.

Marcus Allen (RB, 1982-1992) — Allen was a dynamic, versatile running back who rushed for 12,243 career yards and became Super Bowl XVIII MVP during his time with the Raiders.

James Lofton (WR, 1987-1988) — The big-play receiver who accumulated 14,004 career receiving yards spent two productive years with the Raiders during his illustrious career.

Bob Brown (T, 1971-1973) — Brown was a dominant, aggressive tackle and six-time Pro Bowl selection who finished his career with the Raiders after establishing himself as one of the premier linemen of his era.

John Madden (Head coach, 1969-1978) — The iconic coach led the Raiders to the Super Bowl XI title, the franchise’s first, and became synonymous with Raiders football. His coaching excellence, highlighted by a 103-32-7 regular season record, and later broadcasting career earned him Hall of Fame induction in 2006.

Rod Woodson (S, 2002-2003) — The prolific defensive back with 71 career interceptions was a key presence late in his career with the Raiders, bringing veteran leadership and playmaking ability.

Jerry Rice (WR, 2001-2004) — Widely considered the greatest wide receiver ever with 1,549 career receptions, Rice was a key contributor to the Raiders’ 2002 Super Bowl run.

Warren Sapp (DL, 2004-2007) — The Hall of Fame defensive tackle who recorded 96.5 career sacks closed out his career as a Raider, bringing his disruptive pass-rushing ability to the silver and black.

Ray Guy (P, 1973-1986) — Guy became the prototype for the modern punter with a 42.4 career punting average and was the first pure punter inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Tim Brown (WR, 1988-2003) — Brown was legendary for his production, longevity and professionalism throughout his Raiders career, hauling in 1,094 career receptions.

Ron Wolf (Executive, 1963-1974, 1979-1989) — Wolf was a foundational team builder who was critical to the Raiders’ golden era success, serving as architect of three Super Bowl championship teams. His front office excellence earned him Hall of Fame recognition in 2015.

Ken Stabler (QB, 1970-1979) — Known as “The Snake,” Stabler was cool in clutch situations and led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl victory while throwing for 27,938 career yards.

Randy Moss (WR, 2005-2006) — Moss, who had only a short stint with the Raiders, earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Tom Flores (Head coach, QB, 1960-61 & 1963-69 / 1979-87 HC) — Flores made history as the first Latino head coach to win a Super Bowl, and he accomplished the feat twice with the Raiders while compiling a 91-56 head coaching record.

Charles Woodson (DB, 1998-2005, 2013-2015) — Woodson was a do-everything defender who won Rookie of the Year in his first Raiders stint, then returned later as an All-Pro safety. He finished with 65 career interceptions.

Richard Seymour (DL, 2009-2012) — The seven-time Pro Bowl selection was a key defensive leader during his Raiders years, building on his renowned Patriots career.

Cliff Branch (WR, 1972-1985) — Branch was a speedy, game-breaking deep threat who caught 501 career passes, and whose long-overdue Hall of Fame recognition finally came in 2022. His explosive playmaking ability was crucial to Raiders success throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.