Allen: One More Season

Marcus Allen, one of the most prolific running backs in NFL history, said he will play one more year for the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring.

Allen, who has two years remaining on the contract he signed last year, said during an Internet chat session he plans to retire after the 1997 season.

Allen set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns last season, surpassing Hall of Famer Walter Payton. He has rushed for 112 touchdowns and ranks second on the career touchdown list with 134.

He is the only player to have rushed for 10,000 yards and caught passes for 5,000 yards.

Allen’s record of rushing touchdowns is unlikely to stand very long with Emmitt Smith of Dallas close behind. But he said it was a high point for what otherwise turned out to be a disappointing season.

“Kansas City certainly is my last stop in the NFL,” Allen said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to finish my career.”

Allen, who won the Heisman Trophy while playing for USC in 1981, was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chiefs in 1993 after incurring the displeasure of Oakland owner Al Davis and spending two years on the bench for the Raiders.

Allen, who owns a car dealership in Kansas City, said he hoped to work in television or in another position related to football.

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All-pro guard Randall McDaniel will be free to test the market when he becomes a free agent this month, Minnesota Viking vice president Jeff Diamond said.

The Vikings will not pay the $3.2-million annual salary necessary to make McDaniel their franchise or transition player, Diamond told the Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

“We’re not saying that we aren’t trying to re-sign him,” Diamond said. “As he checks out his options, we’ll check out ours.”