Marcus Allen in his Los Angeles Raiders uniform. He was a running back in the NFL for 16 seasons, primarily with the Raiders. Allen was drafted by the Raiders in 1982 and played with them until 1992. He won Super Bowl XVIII with the Raiders and was named Super Bowl MVP.
Marcus Allen is one of the most iconic running backs in the history of the National Football League (NFL), and much of that legacy was built during his years with the Los Angeles Raiders. Wearing the classic silver and black uniform, Allen brought power, precision, and grace to the backfield, carving out a Hall of Fame career that would inspire generations of players to come. His time with the Raiders—particularly in Los Angeles—was marked by memorable moments, record-setting performances, and championship glory.
Allen was drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft, selected with the 10th overall pick. At the time, the team had recently relocated from Oakland to Los Angeles, making Allen one of the first true stars of the franchise in its new home. Coming out of the University of Southern California (USC), Allen was already a household name in Los Angeles, having won the Heisman Trophy in 1981 as the nation’s top college football player. His arrival in the NFL was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint.
From his rookie season onward, Allen made an immediate impact. Despite the strike-shortened 1982 season, he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, rushing for 697 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns in just nine games. His combination of vision, agility, and durability quickly made him one of the league’s premier running backs. Whether powering through defenders or eluding them with graceful moves, Allen had a unique ability to make the difficult look effortless.
The pinnacle of Allen’s career with the Raiders came during the 1983 season. That year, he helped lead the team to a 12-4 regular season record and a dominant playoff run, culminating in a Super Bowl XVIII appearance against the Washington Redskins. The game, played on January 22, 1984, became one of the defining moments of Allen’s career. In a performance for the ages, he rushed for 191 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns, including a breathtaking 74-yard run that is still considered one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.
On that iconic run, Allen reversed field, slipping through defenders with a dazzling combination of speed and awareness, and sprinted down the sideline to the end zone. His performance not only sealed a 38-9 victory for the Raiders but also earned him Super Bowl MVP honors. The sight of Allen in his No. 32 Raiders jersey, holding the Lombardi Trophy, became an enduring image of excellence and triumph.
Allen’s success wasn’t limited to one great season. Throughout the 1980s, he remained a consistent and productive force in the Raiders’ offense. He was named to the Pro Bowl multiple times and earned All-Pro honors for his outstanding performances. In 1985, he rushed for a career-high 1,759 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns, further cementing his status as one of the game’s elite players. That same year, he was named NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year—testaments to his dominance on the field.
However, Allen’s time with the Raiders was not without challenges. By the late 1980s, tensions developed between him and team owner Al Davis. These disagreements led to a diminished role for Allen in the offense, particularly after the arrival of Bo Jackson, a two-sport phenomenon who shared the backfield duties. Despite these conflicts, Allen remained a consummate professional and continued to contribute when called upon, showing his resilience and commitment to the team.
After 11 seasons with the Raiders, from 1982 to 1992, Marcus Allen’s tenure with the team came to an end. Though the circumstances of his departure were clouded by internal strife, his legacy with the Raiders remained undeniable. During his time in Los Angeles, he became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and one of the most recognizable faces of the NFL. His poise, class, and athletic brilliance left a lasting impression on fans and peers alike.
Allen would go on to play five more seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, extending his career to an incredible 16 seasons in total. Even in the twilight of his career, he continued to perform at a high level, finishing with over 12,000 rushing yards and 123 total touchdowns. He retired as one of the most decorated players in league history, with a Super Bowl title, MVP honors, and numerous accolades to his name.
In 2003, Marcus Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a fitting capstone to a brilliant career. For fans of the Los Angeles Raiders, however, his legacy will always be most vividly remembered in those early years—wearing the silver and black, sprinting across the field with unmatched elegance, and leading his team to the highest heights of football glory. He remains one of the greatest Raiders of all time, and his impact on the game continues to resonate even decades later.
