Let’s Give Allen an Ice Cream Toast

Perhaps it is appropriate that it was the Veterans Committee that certified George Allen onto the final selection list of 15 names for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Perhaps only those with long exposure to the game in the NFL can appreciate what George Allen meant to the league.

Bill Walsh is praised for the assistants whom he assembled, and rightly so, but George Allen was years ahead of Walsh, with Marv Levy and Mike McCormack and Ted Marchibroda on his Redskin staff, as well as his own predecessor in Washington, Bill Austin.

Most of all, George Allen never grew up. He was Dennis the Menace until the end, a little boy cutting corners when he traded the same draft choice more than once, but exuding endless enthusiasm to inspire those susceptible of being inspired, getting the last, best effort out of fading stars, he and they alike determined to prove that he had not paid too much to get them onto his roster. The Hall of Fame is enhanced by George Allen.

Gilbert S. Bahn

Moorpark