Duane Allen

Duane Douglas Allen (October 21, 1937 – May 7, 2003) was an American professional football tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was the Santa Ana College's Athlete of the Year and the Eastern Conference Lineman of the Year. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 1961 NFL draft.

Biography Early life

Duane Allen was born in Alhambra, California on October 21, 1937. He attended Alhambra High School, where he earned All-Southern California prep football honors. Allen did not play football at a four-year college but was twice a Junior College All-American while attending Mt. San Antonio College in 1956 and Santa Ana College in 1960.

Professional career

Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 1961 NFL draft. He was also courted by the San Diego Chargers of the rival American Football League (AFL). He was originally slated to play defensive back at the time of his entry into the league, but due to his size and speed he impressed as an offensive receiver at the Rams' 1961 training camp and was switched to that position.

Allen ultimately spent seven years in the NFL playing for the Los Angeles Rams (1961–64), Pittsburgh Steelers (1965), and Chicago Bears (1966–67).

Life after professional football

Following his retirement from the National Football League, Allen coached high school football and track and served as head coach of the Las Vegas Cowboys of the short-lived Continental Football League (COFL).