http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=239102&lid...s=topStory_main
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ALLEN RETIRES FROM CFL AFTER 23 SEASONS
One of the greatest players in Canadian Football League history has called it a career, as veteran quarterback Damon Allen announced Wednesday that he is retiring from the game.
"I'm applying to be general manager and head coach of the Maple Leafs," he joked with reporters.
Allen leaves the game as pro football's career passing leader with 72,381 yards and holds the CFL record for most touchdown passes with 394. He owns four Grey Cup rings, earning Player of the Game honours three times and was named the league's Most Outstanding Player at the age of 42.
"I was the first to come, and one of the last to leave," he said. "The thing I'll miss most is sitting around with the guys - talking football and sharing stories. I couldn't have won Grey Cups without teammates who truly believed I could get it done. I gave the game of football my body, my mind and my soul."
Allen, the younger brother of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, was a two-sport star at Cal State Fullerton. Coached by Steve Mariucci, he led the Titans football team to a pair of Pacific Coast Athletic Association titles. Allen was also a pitcher on the collegiate baseball team and helped win the 1984 College World Series. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers that year.
Allen entered the CFL as a free agent with Edmonton in 1985, playing back-up to Matt Dunigan. He also spent time with the Ottawa Rough Riders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Memphis Mad Dogs.
"Damon is one of the better athletes to have played the quarterback position in the history of CFL football," said Argonauts general manager Adam Rita, who won three CFL championships with Allen. "I had the pleasure of coaching him, and winning several Grey Cups with him. It's a real pleasure to say that I have coached Damon Allen. He's a wonderful player and, perhaps more importantly, a wonderful family man."
Allen also holds the CFL record for most yards rushing by a quarterback with over 11,000 yards. He was recently ranked 14th on TSN's Top 50 CFL players of all-time.
"When it is all said and done, I have met some incredible people," said Allen. "I want to thank the fans across the Canadian Football League for supporting me, the players in the CFL for challenging me to be the best, and the incredible coaches in our league that continue to teach the game.” As part of a tribute to Allen, the Argonauts announced that on May 29, that the club will sell $9 tickets to their July 3 home opener.
Allen was relegated to a back-up role behind starter Michael Bishop during the 2007 campaign after returning from a foot injury, which he suffered during a game against the Montreal Alouettes in early August. He finished 45-of-67 passing for 492 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Bishop quickly emerged as the team's starter, and Allen was the odd man out during the offseason when the Argos re-signed Bishop and acquired star quarterback Kerry Joseph.
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