Eric Andre Allen (born November 22, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen retired after the 2001 season and is currently an NFL analyst for Pac-12 Networks. In his NFL career, he recorded 54 interceptions for 826 yards and eight touchdowns, while also recovering seven fumbles. His 54 interceptions is tied for 21st in NFL history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
In 2019, he served as the defensive backs coach for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).
Early life
Allen played high school football at Point Loma High School under legendary coach Bennie Edens.
College career
Allen played college football at Arizona State University. In Allen's four year career at Arizona State, he had 15 interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He was a key member of the team that lead the Sun Devils to a 1987 Rose Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
Professional career
Philadelphia Eagles
1988 season
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Allen in the second round (30th overall) in the 1988 NFL draft. He was the third cornerback drafted, following Rickey Dixon and Terry McDaniel, and was also the first of three cornerbacks the Eagles drafted in 1988, along with fifth round pick (122nd overall) Eric Everett and 11th round pick (288th overall) Izel Jenkins.
On June 19, 1988, the Eagles signed Allen to a four–year, $1.05 million rookie contract that included an initial signing bonus of $260,000.
He entered training camp slated as the No. 2 starting cornerback, taking over after disappointing seasons from Elbert Foules and William Frizzell. Throughout training camp and the preseason, Allen performed well and was named a starting cornerback to begin the season, alongside Roynell Young. In Week 7, he set a season-high with eight combined tackles (five solo), had a pass break-up, and intercepted a pass attempt by Don Strock during a 3–19 loss at the Cleveland Browns. On November 13, 1988, Allen recorded one solo tackle, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Bubby Brister during a 27–26 win at the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started in all 16 games as a rookie throughout the entire 1988 NFL season and recorded 57 combined tackles (53 solo), 11 pass deflections, and made five interceptions.
1989 season
On January 11, 1989, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips accepted the same position with the Denver Broncos. Defensive backs coach Jeff Fisher was promoted to take over as his replacement.
Head coach Buddy Ryan named Allen the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season following the departure of Roydell Young. Fellow second-year cornerback Izel Jenkins was paired with Allen for the season, replacing Young.
On September 17, 1989, Allen set a season-high with five solo tackles, made two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Mark Rypien during a 42–27 win at the Washington Redskins.
In Week 6, he recorded three solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and picked off a pass thrown by Tom Tupa during a 17–5 victory at the Phoenix Cardinals. In Week 11, Allen made three solo tackles, one pass deflection, recovered a fumble, and intercepted a pass by Wade Wilson as the Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 9–10. The following week, he made two solo tackles, one pass deflection, and picked off a pass by Troy Aikman during a 27–0 victory at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12. On December 3, 1989, Allen broke up a pass and made his eighth interception of the season on a pass attempt by Phil Simms during a 24–17 victory at the New York Giants. He finished the season with a total of 48 combined tackles (32 solo), 12 pass deflections, and set a career-high with eight interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts. In Week 13, he set a season-high with six solo tackles during a 23–30 loss at the Buffalo Bills. On December 23, 1990, Allen made four solo tackles, two pass deflections, set a career-high with two interceptions off passes thrown by Babe Laufenberg, and returned one for the first touchdown of his career as the Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 3–17. He intercepted a pass Babe Laufenberg threw to wide receiver Michael Irvin and returned it 35 yards to score his first touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. He finished the season with 58 combined tackles (56 solo), 14 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 16 games and 15 starts.
The Philadelphia Eagles finished second in the NFC East at the conclusion of the 1990 NFL season and earned a Wild-Card berth for their third consecutive playoff appearance. On January 5, 1991, Allen started in the NFC Wild-Card Game and made three solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Mark Rypien as the Eagles lost 20–6 to the Washington Redskins.
1991 season
On January 8, 1991, the Philadelphia Eagles fired head coach Buddy Ryan three days after their third first round playoff exit in-a-row. Owner Norman Braman immediately announced offensive coordinator Rich Kotite would be promoted to be the new head coach. Defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher was the only other candidate to replace Buddy Ryan and was offered to retain his position, but opted to depart from the organization. After a successful first season pairing together, defensive coordinator Bud Carson chose to retain Allen and Ben Smith as the starters to begin the season.
On September 1, 1991, Allen started in the Eagles' season-opener at the Green Bay Packers and recorded three solo tackles and intercepted a pass by Don Majkowski as they won 20–3. In Week 6, he set a season-high with three pass deflections and intercepted a pass attempt by Vinny Testaverde during a 13–14 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 11, No. 2 starting cornerback Ben Smith tore his ACL during a 32–30 victory at the Cleveland Browns and was subsequently placed on season-ending injured reserve. In Week 14, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles and had three pass deflections during a 13–6 victory at the Houston Oilers. He started all 16 games throughout the 1991 NFL season and made 37 combined tackles (34 solo), 20 pass deflections, five interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
1992 season
Throughout the offseason, Allen and the Eagles worked on reaching an agreement. Upon the beginning of training camp, both parties were unable to reach an agreement. After two Pro Bowl selections, Allen demanded to receive a salary that would make him one of the highest paid cornerbacks. He decided to hold out of training camp and refused to play until his demands were met. On September 3, 1992, the Philadelphia Eagles re-signed Allen to a three–year, $3.60 million contract. Allen said the key to the agreement was "making me one of the three highest-paid defensive backs and keeping me there. It was a compromise." Head coach Rich Kotite named Allen and Izel Jenkins the starting cornerbacks to begin the season, as Ben Smith would remain inactive for the entire season due to his torn ACL.
After the five games, defensive coordinator Bud Carson opted to bench No. 2 starting cornerback Izel Jenkins and replaced him with starting free safety John Booty temporarily for seven consecutive games (Weeks 7–13). On November 8, 1992, Allen recorded six solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions off passes by Todd Marinovich as the Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Raiders 10–31. In Week 15, he set a season-high with three pass deflections and intercepted a pass by Stan Gelbaugh during a 20–17 overtime victory at the Seattle Seahawks. He started all 16 games throughout the season and finished with 78 combined tackles (55 solo), ten pass deflections, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. The following week, the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs after they lost 10–34 at the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. The Cowboys would go on to win Super Bowl XXVII to kickoff their dynasty.
1993 season
He returned to training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback. After having four different players start alongside him at cornerback the previous season, the Eagles opted to select cornerback Derrick Frazier in the third round (75th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft. Head coach Rich Kotite named Allen a starting cornerback to begin season and paired him with Mark McMillian who won the role of the No. 2 starting cornerback after rookie Derrick Frazier injured his knee in the preseason.
On September 12, 1993, Allen made two solo tackles, a pass deflection, and sparked a fourth quarter by intercepting a pass by Brett Favre on the first play of the fourth quarter as the Eagles were trailing 7–17 and returned it 16 yards to the Packers' 26–yard line. His interception sparked a ten-point, fourth-quarter comeback as the Eagles scored 13 points unanswered, leading to a 20–17 victory at the Green Bay Packers. The following week, he made three combined tackles (two solo), a pass deflection, and returned an interception he made on a pass Cary Conklin threw to running back Earnest Byner for a 29–yard touchdown as the Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins 31–34 in Week 3.
On October 3, 1993, he made six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, and had a game-winning pick-six to lead the Eagles to a 35–30 fourth quarter comeback victory at the New York Jets. Allen intercepted a pass attempt by Boomer Esiason to wide receiver Chris Burkett and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown as the Eagles were trailing 28–30 midway through the fourth quarter. Starting quarterback Randall Cunningham had fractured his fibula in the second quarter and was sideline with crutches as Allen scored and celebrated by running up to Cunningham and handing him the ball. The ensuing 94–yard touchdown return was declared "Greatest Interception Return in NFL History" by Steve Sabol of NFL Films. In Week 15, he recorded five solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and picked off a pass Jim Kelly threw to wide receiver Bill Brooks during a 10–7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
On December 26, 1993, Allen had another amazing performance when he made three pass deflections, set a season-high with two interceptions, and returned both for touchdowns as the Eagles defeated the New Orleans Saints 26–37. During the third quarter, Allen intercepted Steve Walsh's pass attempt to wide receiver Eric Martin and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 24–12. He set a career-high with his fourth pick-six of the season by picking off Steve Walsh again on a pass to wide receiver Torrance Small and had a 25–yard return for a touchdown. He four pick-sixes tied an NFL recorded for the most pick-sixes in a single season, along with safeties Jim Kearney (1972) and Ken Houston (1971). In 2023, Cowboys' cornerback DaRon Bland broke the surpassed Allen with five interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single season. In Week 18, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles and had one pass break-up during a 37–34 overtime victory at the San Francisco 49ers. He started in all 16 games throughout the season and finished with 64 combined tackles (53 solo), 17 pass deflections, six interceptions, and four touchdowns. In Week 10, he set a season-high with six combined tackles (four solo) during a 7–17 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 17, Allen recorded five solo tackles and set a season-high with three pass deflections during a 30–33 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. The following day, the Eagles officially declined to match the Saints' contract offer. The same day, the New Orleans Saints officially signed Allen to a five–year, $14 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $4.25 million. In Week 12, he set a season-high with eight solo tackles during a 24–43 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. On November 26, 1995, Allen recorded two combined tackles (one solo), set a season-high with two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Kerry Collins to wide receiver Eric Guliford late in the fourth quarter as the Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers 26–34. He started in all 16 games for the fifth consecutive season and recorded 59 combined tackles (44 solo), six pass deflections, and two interceptions. On October 21, 1996, head coach Jim Mora announced his resignation after the Saints fell to a 2–6 record. Linebackers coach Rick Venturi was appointed to interim head coach. In Week 7, he set season-highs with seven solo tackles and three pass deflections during a 27–24 victory at the Chicago Bears. On December 21, 1996, Allen made five combined tackles (four solo), three pass deflections, and had his lone interception of the season on a pass Tony Banks threw to Isaac Bruce during a 13–14 loss at the St. Louis Rams. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1996 NFL season and recorded 51 combined tackles (48 solo), 19 pass deflections, and one interception. He returned to training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Zaven Yaralian. Head coach Mike Ditka named Allen and Alex Molden the starting cornerbacks to begin the season following the departure of Mark McMillian. On August 31, 1997, Allen started in the Saints' season-opener at St. Louis Rams and recorded four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass Tony Banks to wide receiver Torrance Small as they lost 24–38. In Week 3, Allen and head coach Mike Ditka got into an heated argument and had to be restrained by teammates as the Saints were being shutout 0–23 at the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 4, Allen recorded five combined tackles (four solo), set a season-high with two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass attempt from Scott Mitchell to Herman Moore during a 17–35 victory against the Detroit Lions. In Week 12, he set a season-high with six solo tackles as the Saints defeated the Seattle Seahawks in overtime 20–17. He started in all 16 games and recorded 50 combined tackles (45 solo), six pass deflections, and two interceptions. In Week 8, Allen recorded two solo tackles, set a season-high with four pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Jeff Blake threw to Carl Pickens during a 10–27 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. On Week 9, he set a season-high with eight solo tackles and made one pass deflection during a 31–18 victory at the Seattle Seahawks.
In Week 11, he made one solo tackle, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass Warren Moon threw to wide receiver Joey Galloway, but sustained an injury while returning it, exiting in the second quarter as the Raiders defeated the Seattle Seahawks 17–20. On November 18, 1998, the Raiders officially placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season as he would require surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee. He subsequently remained inactive for the last six games of the season (Weeks 12–17). His injury ended a streak of 136 consecutive starts and was the first game he missed since 1989. He finished the season with 35 combined tackles (33 solo), 17 pass deflections, and five interceptions in ten games and ten starts. In Week 7, he recorded three combined tackles (two solo), made two pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Rick Mirer as the Raiders defeated the New York Jets 24–23. In Week 11, he set a season-high with nine solo tackles and made one pass deflection during a 21–27 loss at the Denver Broncos. On December 26, 1999, he recorded five combined tackles (four solo) and set a season-high with three pass deflections during a 34–37 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. He started in all 16 games throughout the season and finished with 61 combined tackles (52 solo), 17 pass deflections, and three interceptions.
NFL career statistics
Regular season
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| Bold
| Career high
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="6"| Interceptions
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD !! FF !! FR
|-
! 1988 !! PHI
| 16 || 16 || 65 || — || — || 0.0 || 5 || 76 || 15.2 || 21 || 0 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 1989 !! PHI
| 15 || 15 || 48 || — || — || 0.0 || 8 || 38 || 4.8 || 18 || 0 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 1990 !! PHI
| 16 || 15 || 63 || — || — || 0.0 || 3 || 37 || 12.3 || 35 || 1 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 1991 !! PHI
| 16 || 16 || 39 || — || — || 0.0 || 5 || 20 || 4.0 || 8 || 0 || — || 0 || 1
|-
! 1992 !! PHI
| 16 || 16 || 72 || — || — || 0.0 || 4 || 49 || 12.2 || 36 || 0 || — || 0 || 2
|-
! 1993 !! PHI
| 16 || 16 || 64 || 52 || 6 || 2.0 || 6 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 201 || 33.5 || 94 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 4 || 17 || 3 || 0
|-
! 1994 !! PHI
| 16 || 16 || 57 || 46 || 11 || 0.0 || 3 || 61 || 20.3 || 33 || 0 || 14 || 0 || 1
|-
! 1995 !! NO
| 16 || 16 || 59 || 44 ||| 14 || 0.0 || 2 || 28 || 14.0 || 28 || 0 || 6 || 0 || 0 | 0
|-
! 1996 !! NO
| 16 || 16 || 51 || 48 || 3 || 0.0 || 1 || 33 || 33.0 || 33 || 0 || 19 || 0 || 0 | 0
|-
! 1997 !! NO
| 16 || 16 || 50 || 45 || 5 || 0.0 || 2 || 27 || 13.5 || 27 || 0 || 8 || 0 || 0 | 0
|-
! 1998 !! OAK
| 10 || 10 || 35 || 33 || 2 || 0.0 || 5 || 59 || 11.8 || 22 || 0 || 17 || 0 || 0
|-
! 1999 !! OAK
| 16 || 16 || 61 || 52 || 9 || 0.0 || 3 || 33 || 11.0 || 31 || 0 || 16 || 0 || 1
|-
! 2000 !! OAK
| 16 || 15 || 68 || 62 || 6 || 1.0 || 6 || 145 || 24.2 || 50 || 3 || 14 || 0 || 0
|-
! 2001 !! OAK
| 16 || 15 || 55 || 49 || 6 || 0.0 || 1 || 19 || 19.0 || 19 || 0 || 9 || 2 || 1
|-
! colspan="2"| Career !! 217 !! 214 !! 787 !! 431 !! 62 !! 3.0 !! 54 !! 826 !! 16.3 !! 94 !! 8 !! 120 !! 5 !! 6
|}
Postseason
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="6"| Interceptions
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD !! FF !! FR
|-
! 1988 !! PHI
| 1 || 1 || 0 || — || — || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 1989 !! PHI
| 1 || 0 || 0 || — || — || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 1990 !! PHI
| 1 || 1 || 0 || — || — || 0.0 || 1 || 3 || 3.0 || 3 || 0 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 1992 !! PHI
| 2 || 2 || 0 || — || — || 0.0 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 2 || 22 || 11.0 || 18 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 1 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! 2000 !! OAK
| 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
! 2001 !! OAK
| 2 || 2 || 6 || 4 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || 5 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| Career !! 9 !! 8 !! 8 !! 6 !! 2 !! 0.0 !! 4 !! 25 !! 6.3 !! 18 !! 1 !! 6 !! 0 !! 0
|}
Post-NFL career
Television career
Allen joined ESPN in August 2002 as an NFL studio analyst. Allen primarily appears on ESPN's "Sportscenter" as an NFL analyst.
Allen has had appearances as a college football analyst on the Pac-12 Networks football shows, as well as for the station's flagship show "Sports Report" as a football analyst.
Coaching career
On December 19, 2018, Allen was named defensive backs coach for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football.
Personal life
He now lives in San Diego, California with his wife Lynn Allen, with whom he has four children.