Greatest sports figures in L.A. history, No. 18: Marcus Allen
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Continuing our countdown of the 20 greatest figures in L.A. sports history with No. 18, Marcus Allen.
No. 18 Marcus Allen (no first-place votes, 551 points)
Marcus Allen had a standout football career in L.A., with USC and the Raiders. With the Trojans in 1980, Allen rushed for 1,563 yards, the second-most in the nation, but that was nothing compared to 1981, when he finished with 2,342 yards, becoming the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season. He also led the nation in scoring and won the Heisman Trophy.
Allen was drafted with the 10th overall selection of the 1982 NFL draft by the Raiders, who were playing in Los Angeles at the time. He was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But Allen is probably best remembered for Super Bowl XVIII in 1984. He ran for 191 yards, caught two passes for 18 yards, and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders’ 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins. Included in his stats was a 74-yard touchdown run, where he reversed field and outran the Redskins defenders to the end zone. He remains one of only four people to win the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP, along with Roger Staubach, Jim Plunkett and Desmond Howard.
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-- Houston Mitchell