Eric Allen was another one of the flashy young players that Toronto signed in the early 1970s to try and promote the CFL game in Toronto.  Others in that group included QB Joe Theisman and RB Leon McQuay.  Allen joined Toronto in 1972 and was one of the first players to fill the emerging Wingback position that evolved out of one of the running back spots.  Wingbacks were used mainly as pass receivers, but also still rushed with the ball on a semi-regular basis.  For example, in Allen's rookie season he had 50 carries in 14 games (nearly four carries a game) to go with his 53 catches for 1067 yards.  Allen led the East in receiving in 1972 and was named to the East All-Star team as a wide receiver.  It was a pretty good rookie season, but Allen lost out in the Oustanding Rookie voting (in the first year it was awarded) to QB Chuck Ealey of Hamilton.  Allen was a better receiver than a ball carrier and in the following seasons, was used mainly as a receiver.  In 1973, Allen had 40 catches for 793 yards to win his second East All-Star honour.  Allen placed second in receiving in the East in 1973 behind Johnny Rodgers, playing his first season in the CFL.  Allen played only two more seasons in Toronto, with injuries limiting him to a total of 16 games over those two seasons.

Eric Allen passed away on October 27, 2015.

Eric Allen in Wikipedia

Georgetown sports legend Eric Allen dead at 66