IN THE NEWS: Lincoln Honors Legend Marcus Allen

Pro football legend Marcus Allen was recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company in San Diego on Tuesday, March 6, as part of “Hometown Hall of Famers™,” a national program honoring the hometown roots of the sport’s greatest players with special ceremonies and plaque dedication events in local communities.

Marcus Allen at ceremony.

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News Coverage

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“As we enter the second year of our program, we have found that ‘Hometown Hall of Famers™’ has been warmly embraced by communities and Hall of Famers alike,” said George Veras, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises president and CEO. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Allstate to bring the Pro Football Hall of Fame to communities across the country and congratulate Marcus Allen and Lincoln High School on being the first recipients of 2012.”

A six-time Pro Bowl selection as running back for the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs and former Lincoln High School standout, Allen will be presented with his “Hometown Hall of Famer™” plaque during a special ceremony at 1:45 p.m. PT on Tuesday, March 6, at the Lincoln High School auditorium, where the plaque will live permanently to serve as an inspiration for the school’s students and athletes. The presentation will be made by Damon Allen, former Canadian Football League quarterback and brother of Marcus Allen.

“To be part of a program that brings the prestige and tradition of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to communities like San Diego is an honor for Allstate, our agents and employees,” said Mark LaNeve, Allstate’s chief marketing officer and senior executive vice president of agency operations.

The ceremony will be attended by Lincoln High School students, faculty, staff, alumni and Allen’s former teammates. Don Robinson, Lincoln High School athletic director, will be serving as the Master of Ceremonies.

"Marcus Allen's career is an inspiration to all current and future Lincoln students,” said Esther Omogbehin, senior principal of Lincoln High School. “This plaque will forever be a reminder of what Lincoln students can do."

In addition to the plaque, a commemorative Marcus Allen “Hometown Hall of Famer™” road sign will be on display in San Diego.

After playing the quarterback and safety positions at Lincoln High School, Allen transitioned to running back when he enrolled at the University of Southern California. During his college career for the Trojans, Allen made NCAA history in rushing for more than 2,000 yards in a single season, an achievement that earned him the 1981 Heisman Trophy.

Allen’s NFL career began in 1982 when he was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Raiders. From 1982 to 1997, Allen left his mark on the game, rushing for 12,243 yards and scoring 145 touchdowns as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. During the 1983 season, Allen led the Raiders to the Super Bowl XVIII title and was crowned Super Bowl MVP.
Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

“Hometown Hall of Famers™ presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate” is the Hall of Fame’s first nationwide plaque program and will lead into the celebration of its 50th anniversary in August 2012. For more information on the program and event videos, fans can visit www.profootballhof.com.