After a super collegiate career at USC where his coach John Robinson called him ‘the greatest player I ever saw!” Marcus Allen followed up his Heisman Trophy winning season to become the first NFL player to ever gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards during his incredible 17 year career with the Raiders and Chiefs. Marcus also scored 145 touchdowns, including a then league record 123 rushing touchdowns, was a Super Bowl MVP, a league MVP and elected to six Pro Bowls (and it should’ve been several more while stuck in the Al Davis doghouse). So there are few who deserve Hall of Fame distinction any more than Allen (inducted in 2003) who will be in Canton today (Saturday) for the induction of the 2011 team that includes the likes of Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Shannon Sharpe.

Last week I sat down with Marcus just after the NFL lockout ended and we chatted about some of his passionate beliefs including taking care of the older NFL players who have been screwed over for decades not receiving the benefits that they deserved after being the physical guinea pigs for the players of today.

Marcus Allen with Ted Sobel:

The irony in chatting with Marcus is letting him know that we have the same golf pro teaching us in Brady Riggs (Woodley Lakes Golf Course) although Allen has obviously learned a hell of a lot more than I have as he’s a single digit handicap, while my handicap is having more moving parts than an engine! 🙂

So we are now just 5 days away from the first NFL pretend game and with college camps opening too, let’s get this damned season underway already!!!!