The good omens for the Philadelphia Eagles started Thursday.
Will it lead to a Super Bowl victory? If history is any indication, the answer is yes.
After a nearly 20-year wait, former Eagles cornerback Eric Allen was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025 during the NFL Honors program Thursday night.
Here’s why that’s a good sign for Birds fans as the Eagles get set to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.
Hall of Fame induction a good luck charm for Eagles?
This won’t be the first time a former Eagles defensive back got the call to the hall before the big game.
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The last time it happened was in 2018, when beloved safety Brian Dawkins was elected in his first year of eligibility. Dawkins was joined by former Birds wide receiver Terrell Owens, who also earned enshrinement that weekend.
A few days later, the Eagles pulled off an improbably 41-33 upset victory over Tom Brady the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Dawkins’ election set up a perfect weekend for Birds fans, who got to see one of their all-time favorite players honored while also witnessing their team finally capture an elusive Super Bowl title with the help of quarterback Nick Foles’ epic performance.
Will Philly pull off another upset win this time? Only time will tell.
Eric Allen finally enshrined in Canton
It was a long wait for Allen, whose overdue call to the hall came on his 19th try.
The Eagles drafted the Arizona State alum in the second of the 1988 NFL draft.
He played for 14 seasons, including the first seven in Philadelphia, where he helped anchor the secondary of the Gang Green defense that led the NFL in total yards, rushing yards, and passing yards allowed in 1991.
He was a six-time Pro Bowler and was named an All-Pro three times. He had 54 career interceptions, which is 21st all-time. He also had eight interception returns for a touchdown — ranking eighth all-time.
Allen was named as a member of the Eagles’ 75th Anniversary Team and Hall of Fame. He and Dawkins share the Eagles’ all-time record for most interceptions with 34.
Allen’s best season in Philadelphia was in 1993, when he intercepted six passes. He returned four for touchdowns, including a 94-yard interception return against the New York Jets.
Arguably, his best game came in 1993 with the Birds, coincidentally in New Orleans, where he picked off two passes and ran one back for a touchdown in an Eagles’ 36-20 Wild Card game win over the Saints.
NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Following Thursday’s announcement, here are the selections for the Class of 2025:
Eric Allen
Years played: 1988-1994, Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders.
Jared Allen, DE
Years played: 2004-07, Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers.
Antonio Gates, TE
Years played: 2003-2018, San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers.
Sterling Sharpe, WR
Years played: 1988-1994, Green Bay Packers
Eagles’ Hall of Famers enshrined in Canton
Allen joins an illustrious list of former Eagles players enshrined in Canton and honored by the franchise. This includes 25 Pro Football Hall of Famers and 49 members of the Eagles Hall of Fame, as well as 17 players and coaches.
Here are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who have played, coached or been associated with the Eagles:
- Bert Bell, owner, Class of 1963
- Bob Brown, OL, Class of 2004
- Chuck Bednarik, C/LB, Class of 1967
- Harold Carmichael, WR, Class of 2020
- Cris Carter, WR, Class of 2013
- Brian Dawkins, S, Class of 2018
- Richard Dent, DE, Class of 2011
- Mike Ditka, TE, Class of 1988
- Claude Humphrey, DE, Class of 2014
- Bill Hewitt, End, Class of 1971
- Sonny Jurgensen, QB, Class of 1983
- Walt Kieslinq, coach, Class of 1966
- James Lofton, WR, Class of 2003
- Ollie Matson, HB, Class of 1972
- Tommy McDonald, WR, Class of 1998
- Art Monk, WR, Class of 2008
- Earl “Greasy” Neale, coach, Class of 1969
- Terrell Owens, WR, Class of 2018
- Pete Pihos, End, Class of 1970
- Jim Ringo, C, Class of 1981
- Dick Vermeil, coach, Class of 2022
- Norm Van Brocklin, QB, Class of 1971
- Steve Van Buren, HB, Class of 1965
- Reggie White, DE, Class of 2006
- Alex Wojciechowicz, C/LB, Class of 1968
Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
Along with those honored in Canton, here are the 49 players, coaches and executives honored by the franchise:
- David Akers
- Eric Allen
- Maxie Baughan
- Chuck Bednarik
- Bert Bell
- Bill Bergey
- Bill Bradley
- Tom Brookshier
- Bob Brown
- Jerome Brown
- Timmy Brown
- Leo Carlin
- Harold Carmichael
- Trent Cole
- Randall Cunningham
- Otho Davis
- Brian Dawkins
- Hugh Douglas
- Jim Gallagher
- Bill Hewitt
- Ron Jaworski
- Jim Johnson
- Seth Joyner
- Sonny Jurgensen
- Ollie Matson
- Tommy McDonald
- Donovan McNabb
- Wilbert Montgomery
- Earle “Greasy” Neale
- Pete Pihos
- Mike Quick
- Merrill Reese
- Pete Retzlaff
- Jim Ringo
- Jon Runyan
- Clyde Simmons
- Jerry Sisemore
- Tra Thomas
- Jeremiah Trotter
- Norm Van Brocklin
- Steve Van Buren
- Dick Vermeil
- Troy Vincent
- Stan Walters
- Bobby Walston
- Brian Westbrook
- Reggie White
- Al Wistert
- Alex Wojciechowicz
