Former Argo Eric "The Flea" Allen Dies

[jerrym]

In reviewing the CFL concussion thread, I came across Eric "The Flea" Allen, a multi-purpose back who played for the Argos from 1972-1975. He made the Argos a more exciting team to watch for me with his speed. When I found out that there was no acknowledgement of his passing in October, 2015 in the Double Blue Room, I decided to start a thread for him. Unfortunately, as one might guess from his inclusion in the CFL concussion thread, this appears to have contributed in a major way to his death. Allen's family is now involved in the CFL concussion lawsuit.

Former Michigan State All-American and Big Ten MVP Eric Allen, who set then-NCAA single-game records for rushing yards (350) and all-purpose yards (397) against Purdue in 1971, died Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Tidelands Hospice in Georgetown, South Carolina. He was 66. ...
A multi-sport athlete, Allen earned two letters in track and field and emerged as one of the Big Ten's top triple jumpers, posting a personal-best 50-5 1/4 at the 1971 outdoor championships.He was selected as a wide receiver by the Baltimore Colts in the fourth round (No. 104 overall) of the 1972 National Football League Draft. Allen opted to play in the Canadian Football League and spent four years with the Toronto Argonauts (1972-75). He accounted for 4,270 career all-purpose yards, averaging 15.2 yards per touch (281 touches). Allen had 130 career receptions for 2,401 yards (18.5 avg.) and eight TDs.

http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-...103015aab.html


Here's an article by his nephew on Eric Allen the man.

http://philallenjr.com/a-tribute-to-...he-flea-allen/



Here's a description of his life one year before his death. It's not pretty.

But Allen, now 63, is no longer employed. He has returned to South Carolina to be cared for by his elderly mother and five-day a week visiting home care professionals and is being treated at the Medical University of South Carolina for Parkinson’s-like symptoms, believed by Allen and his doctors to be the result of multiple concussions suffered during his playing days in the CFL.
In a recent telephone interview, Allen, who said he had at least four major concussions and returned to play in the same game after each incident, complained of severe headaches, dizziness and memory issues and said he was taking the Parkinson’s drug levodopa carbidopa although he also said it was “not working.”
Allen, when asked about returning to play after his concussions said of the team doctor, “I don’t think he looked at me,” and also said that recently he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer-like symptoms.
And Allen’s mother, Rebecca, said that Eric complains that “his head spins” and she said he had been falling, “a lot,” recently.
The family is now interested in finding a lawyer to discuss a possible lawsuit against the CFL for damages allegedly from concussions related to Allen’s playing career in Canada.

http://theconcussionblog.com/2014/06...ia-and-animus/

[1argoholic]

The guy was a prick!!! I just remember as a kid being at Ontario Place before the south Blue Jays side was built at CNE Stadium. My cousin and I were up high at this area that had a strange almost plastic skating surface when we saw the Argos practicing. We dropped everything and ran over to the stadium. We got on the sidelines and watched practice and got a ton of autographs on napkins. Eric Allan was the only one to say NO. Not in a nice way either.

[ArgoGabe22]

I don't think I've ever heard a CFL player say no. I'm not sure what Ricky Williams' signing habits were but I wouldn't be surprised if turned down those guys who had stacks of photos and didn't look like a fan, which I would totally understand.

[Will]

I don't think I've ever heard a CFL player say no. I'm not sure what Ricky Williams' signing habits were but I wouldn't be surprised if turned down those guys who had stacks of photos and didn't look like a fan, which I would totally understand.

I never met Williams when he was here, but from what I understand he was fine. I did hear that Kerwin Bell wasn't the friendliest and neither was Robert Baker.

In regards to Allen, I knew that he had passed in the fall, but must have never gotten around to posting it here. It was still during the season, but I don't know if the Argos acknowledged it during a game either.

[argotom]

He was an awesome running back though.

[Will]

He was an awesome running back though.

He was a receiver.

[Argo]

I remember quite enjoying watching Eric Allen as an Argonaut. I seem to remember thinking, though, that he wasn't used well and/or often enough (yes, irony).

Concussions - and Eric and his contemporaries and predecessors "going back into the game" !! - I would not now choose to play football at any level (except as a kicker, and a "cowardly one" at that). Hockey (with contact) is another inherently dangerous sport.

[AngeloV]

I think he played a wing back spot a la Johnny Rodgers, whereas he would also carry the ball out of the backfield on occasion, but yes, he was used mostly as a receiver.

[OV Argo]

I think he played a wing back spot a la Johnny Rodgers, whereas he would also carry the ball out of the backfield on occasion, but yes, he was used mostly as a receiver.

Wing back, slot back, hybrid back like Durie sort of - whatever it's called - but Allen was a good offensive threat - quick, shifty moves and pretty good hands - and a dual threat but yep used more as a receiver. I still have my copy of the Canadian Football News (excellent CFL publication from back in the day - been missed for a long time now) that has a lot of coverage of the signing of the "Flea".

Argos made a lot big splash import signings back in those days - mostly NCAA stars stolen away from the NFL (with the huge pay differences between the 2 leagues now, that is next to impossible). Lots of star talent but rarely put together smartly to form a great TEAM (71 Argos got there though).

[jerrym]

Argos made a lot big splash import signings back in those days - mostly NCAA stars stolen away from the NFL (with the huge pay differences between the 2 leagues now, that is next to impossible). Lots of star talent but rarely put together smartly to form a great TEAM (71 Argos got there though).

Leo was especially good at signing players away from the NFL. If I remember correctly, he arrived at Joe Theismann's hotel room with a suitcase full of money.

[1argoholic]

We must have been at a practice in 75 because Russ Jackson was the coach and Allan's last year was 75.