Ermal Allen: Difference between revisions
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==Early life and college== |
==Early life and college== |
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Allen grew up in [[Morristown, Tennessee]] and was a star athlete at [[Morristown High School (Tennessee)|Morristown High School]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit">{{cite news|last=Hewlett|first=Jennifer|title=Ex-UK Star Ermal Allen Dies|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73A68CAC56309&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=February 10, 1988|page=C1|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BEu4FNdJ|archivedate=October 7, 2012}}</ref> He attended the [[University of Kentucky]], where he played football, basketball, track and golf.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> He was on the varsity football team between 1939 and 1941, playing as a [[halfback (American football)|tailback]] under head coach [[A. D. Kirwan]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> The team finished with winning records in each of the seasons Allen played, but was not ranked in the [[AP Poll]] of the best college teams in the country.<ref name="CFDW 1939 stats">{{cite web|title=Kentucky Yearly Results|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/kentucky/yearly_results.php?year=1935|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|accessdate=September 15, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BEu6r8uz|archivedate=October 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="CFDW 1940-41 stats">{{cite web|title=Kentucky Yearly Results|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/kentucky/yearly_results.php?year=1940|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|accessdate=September 15, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BEu8sHzF|archivedate=October 7, 2012}}</ref> Allen was a [[triple threat man]], handling passing, running and kicking duties for Kentucky.<ref name="Allen as triple-threat">{{cite news|title=Ermal Allen Carries Kentucky Hopes For Victory Over Vols|url= |
Allen grew up in [[Morristown, Tennessee]] and was a star athlete at [[Morristown High School (Tennessee)|Morristown High School]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit">{{cite news|last=Hewlett|first=Jennifer|title=Ex-UK Star Ermal Allen Dies|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LH&s_site=kentucky&p_multi=LH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB73A68CAC56309&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|date=February 10, 1988|page=C1|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BEu4FNdJ|archivedate=October 7, 2012}}</ref> He attended the [[University of Kentucky]], where he played football, basketball, track and golf.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> He was on the varsity football team between 1939 and 1941, playing as a [[halfback (American football)|tailback]] under head coach [[A. D. Kirwan]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> The team finished with winning records in each of the seasons Allen played, but was not ranked in the [[AP Poll]] of the best college teams in the country.<ref name="CFDW 1939 stats">{{cite web|title=Kentucky Yearly Results|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/kentucky/yearly_results.php?year=1935|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|accessdate=September 15, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BEu6r8uz|archivedate=October 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="CFDW 1940-41 stats">{{cite web|title=Kentucky Yearly Results|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/kentucky/yearly_results.php?year=1940|publisher=College Football Data Warehouse|accessdate=September 15, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6BEu8sHzF|archivedate=October 7, 2012}}</ref> Allen was a [[triple threat man]], handling passing, running and kicking duties for Kentucky.<ref name="Allen as triple-threat">{{cite news|title=Ermal Allen Carries Kentucky Hopes For Victory Over Vols|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FkAuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZNgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3663,1727858&dq=ermal+allen&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=The Miami News|date=November 20, 1940|agency=United Press International|location=Atlanta, Ga.|page=2B}}</ref> |
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Allen was a member of a Kentucky golf team that lost only one match in 1940 and went undefeated in 1941 and 1942.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> He played varsity basketball between 1940 and 1942, earning a spot on the [[Southeastern Conference]] all-star team in his final year.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> Allen's college career was interrupted by service in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] during [[World War II]]. He enlisted in 1942 and spent four years in the Army, rising to the rank of [[major]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> |
Allen was a member of a Kentucky golf team that lost only one match in 1940 and went undefeated in 1941 and 1942.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> He played varsity basketball between 1940 and 1942, earning a spot on the [[Southeastern Conference]] all-star team in his final year.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> Allen's college career was interrupted by service in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] during [[World War II]]. He enlisted in 1942 and spent four years in the Army, rising to the rank of [[major]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> |
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Allen returned to the University of Kentucky to finish his education and play a final year of football. A controversy developed, however, over his eligibility to play in 1946 because he had already played three varsity seasons before enlisting.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Conner ruled him ineligible in September, shortly after he had been certified to play based on a rule that gave four years of varsity eligibility to men who served in the war.<ref name="Allen ruled inelgible">{{cite news|title=Bryant Loses Ermal Allen|url= |
Allen returned to the University of Kentucky to finish his education and play a final year of football. A controversy developed, however, over his eligibility to play in 1946 because he had already played three varsity seasons before enlisting.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Conner ruled him ineligible in September, shortly after he had been certified to play based on a rule that gave four years of varsity eligibility to men who served in the war.<ref name="Allen ruled inelgible">{{cite news|title=Bryant Loses Ermal Allen|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VkxBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6409,795593&dq=ermal+allen&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News|date=September 8, 1946|agency=Associated Press|page=8}}</ref> Several days later, he was again ruled eligible by the conference's executive committee. Kentucky head coach [[Bear Bryant]] said he was "deligted" with the decision.<ref name="Allen again eligible">{{cite news|title=Kentucky Star Eligible Again|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cOwrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZGcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3304,3544769&dq=ermal+allen&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=Kentucky New Era|date=September 21, 1946|agency=Associated Press|location=Lexington, Ky.|page=1}}</ref> After quarterbacking Kentucky to victories over the [[University of Mississippi]] and [[University of Cincinnati]], the conference reversed its decision and declared him ineligible.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /><ref name="Allen benched again">{{cite news|title=Allen Benched By Officials|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LrExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2k4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4506,6597142&dq=ermal+allen&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=October 6, 1946|agency=United Press International|location=Lexington, Ky.}}</ref> He spent the rest of the year coaching backs under Bryant.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> |
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==Professional football career== |
==Professional football career== |
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Allen returned to the University of Kentucky in 1948 and was named the football team's offensive coordinator under Bryant.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> [[Blanton Collier]], who had been a backfield coach for the Browns, succeeded Bryant as Kentucky head coach in 1954. Collier kept Allen on his staff but switched him to defensive coordinator.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> Allen remained an avid golfer as he continued his coaching career, winning the Kentucky Amateur Golf Championship in 1955 and 1958. He came in second place in the tournament in 1956 and tied for first place in a tri-state championship.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> |
Allen returned to the University of Kentucky in 1948 and was named the football team's offensive coordinator under Bryant.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> [[Blanton Collier]], who had been a backfield coach for the Browns, succeeded Bryant as Kentucky head coach in 1954. Collier kept Allen on his staff but switched him to defensive coordinator.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> Allen remained an avid golfer as he continued his coaching career, winning the Kentucky Amateur Golf Championship in 1955 and 1958. He came in second place in the tournament in 1956 and tied for first place in a tri-state championship.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> |
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Allen left Kentucky in 1962 to become a backfield coach for the NFL's [[Dallas Cowboys]] under head coach [[Tom Landry]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> In 1970, he became a special assistant to Landry and headed the Cowboys' research and development department.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> In that role, he was responsible for scouting all of the Cowboys' opponents.<ref name="Allen as opponent scout">{{cite news|title=All-Stars Tough|url= |
Allen left Kentucky in 1962 to become a backfield coach for the NFL's [[Dallas Cowboys]] under head coach [[Tom Landry]].<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> In 1970, he became a special assistant to Landry and headed the Cowboys' research and development department.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /> In that role, he was responsible for scouting all of the Cowboys' opponents.<ref name="Allen as opponent scout">{{cite news|title=All-Stars Tough|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pdlHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OIAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1820,3715344&dq=ermal+allen+cowboys&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=The Victoria Advocate|date=July 25, 1972|agency=Associated Press|location=Dallas|page=2B}}</ref> The Cowboys won [[Super Bowl VI]] in 1972 while Allen was with the team.<ref name="Dallas wins Super Bowl">{{cite news|title=Dallas Downs Dolphins 24-3 In Super Bowl VI|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e2gzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=7151,1156491&dq=cowboys+super+bowl&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel|date=January 17, 1972|agency=United Press International|location=New Orleans|page=12}}</ref> Allen suffered a heart attack before the 1973 season, but remained with the team until 1983.<ref name="Allen Herald-Leader obit" /><ref name="Allen suffers heart attack">{{cite news|title=Namath to report late as usual|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CmkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-NQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1032,1209232&dq=ermal+allen+attack&hl=en|accessdate=September 15, 2012|newspaper=The Southeast Missourian|date=July 10, 1973|agency=Associated Press|location=New York|page=16}}</ref> |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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Revision as of 23:48, 13 December 2015
 Allen during his basketball career at Kentucky | |||||
| Personal information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | December 25, 1918 Kyles Ford, Tennessee | ||||
| Died: | February 9, 1988 (aged 69) Dallas, Texas | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| College: | University of Kentucky | ||||
| Position: | Quarterback | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1947 / Round: 3 / Pick: 18 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| As a player: | |||||
| As a coach: | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| As player:
As coach:
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| Career NFL statistics as of 1947 | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Ermal Glenn Allen (December 25, 1918 – February 9, 1988) was an American football quarterback and assistant coach. He grew up in Tennessee and attended the University of Kentucky, where he played basketball, track, golf, and football. After four years in the U.S. Army during World War II, Allen was drafted in 1947 by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He instead went to play for the Cleveland Browns of the competing All-America Football Conference, who won the league championship that year.
Allen played in Cleveland for one season, returning to the University of Kentucky in 1948 to serve as an assistant football coach under Bear Bryant. He stayed at Kentucky after Blanton Collier took over as head coach in 1954, working as the team's defensive coordinator. In 1962, Tom Landry hired him as a backfield coach on the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. He became the head of the Cowboys' research and development department in 1970 and was charged with scouting opponents. The Cowboys won Super Bowl VI in 1972. Allen remained with the team until retiring in 1983. He died of cancer in 1998 in a Dallas hospital.
Early life and college
Allen grew up in Morristown, Tennessee and was a star athlete at Morristown High School.[1] He attended the University of Kentucky, where he played football, basketball, track and golf.[1] He was on the varsity football team between 1939 and 1941, playing as a tailback under head coach A. D. Kirwan.[1] The team finished with winning records in each of the seasons Allen played, but was not ranked in the AP Poll of the best college teams in the country.[2][3] Allen was a triple threat man, handling passing, running and kicking duties for Kentucky.[4]
Allen was a member of a Kentucky golf team that lost only one match in 1940 and went undefeated in 1941 and 1942.[1] He played varsity basketball between 1940 and 1942, earning a spot on the Southeastern Conference all-star team in his final year.[1] Allen's college career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army during World War II. He enlisted in 1942 and spent four years in the Army, rising to the rank of major.[1]
Allen returned to the University of Kentucky to finish his education and play a final year of football. A controversy developed, however, over his eligibility to play in 1946 because he had already played three varsity seasons before enlisting.[1] Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Conner ruled him ineligible in September, shortly after he had been certified to play based on a rule that gave four years of varsity eligibility to men who served in the war.[5] Several days later, he was again ruled eligible by the conference's executive committee. Kentucky head coach Bear Bryant said he was "deligted" with the decision.[6] After quarterbacking Kentucky to victories over the University of Mississippi and University of Cincinnati, the conference reversed its decision and declared him ineligible.[1][7] He spent the rest of the year coaching backs under Bryant.[1]
Professional football career
Allen was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) in 1947 but instead joined the Cleveland Browns of the competing All-America Football Conference (AAFC).[1][8] He competed to be a backup for starting quarterback Otto Graham in the team's T formation offense.[8] Allen struggled to learn Cleveland's formations, which differed significantly from the single-wing formation his Kentucky teams used.[8] Allen had four interceptions in limited playing time for Cleveland as the team finished the season with the 12–1–1 record and beat the New York Yankees in the championship game.[9][10]
Coaching career
Allen returned to the University of Kentucky in 1948 and was named the football team's offensive coordinator under Bryant.[1] Blanton Collier, who had been a backfield coach for the Browns, succeeded Bryant as Kentucky head coach in 1954. Collier kept Allen on his staff but switched him to defensive coordinator.[1] Allen remained an avid golfer as he continued his coaching career, winning the Kentucky Amateur Golf Championship in 1955 and 1958. He came in second place in the tournament in 1956 and tied for first place in a tri-state championship.[1]
Allen left Kentucky in 1962 to become a backfield coach for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys under head coach Tom Landry.[1] In 1970, he became a special assistant to Landry and headed the Cowboys' research and development department.[1] In that role, he was responsible for scouting all of the Cowboys' opponents.[11] The Cowboys won Super Bowl VI in 1972 while Allen was with the team.[12] Allen suffered a heart attack before the 1973 season, but remained with the team until 1983.[1][13]
Death
Allen died of cancer in 1988 at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.[1] "He was a tremendous coach, as well as a real bright type of guy who had a statistical mind," Landry said after his death. "He could keep up with anything."[1] Landry also praised his sense of humor.[1] Eugene Meeks, who played college football with Allen, said he was one of Kentucky's best-ever athletes and a dominant golf player during his time at the university.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Hewlett, Jennifer (February 10, 1988). "Ex-UK Star Ermal Allen Dies". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. C1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Kentucky Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Kentucky Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Ermal Allen Carries Kentucky Hopes For Victory Over Vols". The Miami News. Atlanta, Ga. United Press International. November 20, 1940. p. 2B. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Bryant Loses Ermal Allen". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 8, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Kentucky Star Eligible Again". Kentucky New Era. Lexington, Ky. Associated Press. September 21, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Allen Benched By Officials". St. Petersburg Times. Lexington, Ky. United Press International. October 6, 1946. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c Sauerbrei, Harold (August 1, 1947). "Allen Percolates In Opening 'T' Test". Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 16.
- ^ "Ermal Allen". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ Piascik 2007, p. 81.
- ^ "All-Stars Tough". The Victoria Advocate. Dallas. Associated Press. July 25, 1972. p. 2B. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Dallas Downs Dolphins 24-3 In Super Bowl VI". Lodi News-Sentinel. New Orleans. United Press International. January 17, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Namath to report late as usual". The Southeast Missourian. New York. Associated Press. July 10, 1973. p. 16. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
Bibliography
- Piascik, Andy (2007). The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns. Lanham, MD: Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58979-571-6.
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