Argonauts.ca Staff
Toronto – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former RB/WR Eric “The Flea” Allen, who passed away on October 27, 2015 at the age of 66 in Georgetown, South Carolina.
Allen played four seasons (1972-75) as a wingback with Argonauts. As a rookie with the Argos, Allen arrived in Toronto to make an immediate impact transitioning from running back to receiver with the Boatmen in 1972. A native of Georgetown, he caught 53 passes for 1,067 yards as a rookie, an average of 20.1 yards per catch, and was named team’s Most Outstanding Player.
Nicknamed “The Flea” for his speed and elusiveness, Allen went onto record 2,401 yards and 24 touchdowns on 130 receptions while adding 323 rushing yards and 93 punt return yards over his four seasons with the Boatmen.
Prior to signing with the Argonauts in 1972, Allen spent four seasons at the Michigan State where he set the NCAA single-game records for rushing yards (350) and all-purpose yards (397), and was named the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in 1971. Following his NCAA career with the Spartans, Allen was initially offered a contract by the then Baltimore Colts but turned down the offer to sign in Canada.
Allen is survived by his mother, Rebecca Allen, his brothers, Phillip and Nathaniel Allen, a sister, Ruth Naomi Allen and his niece, Sherrie.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 2, at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel AME Church on Georgetown. Burial will follow in Morning Glory Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, November 1, from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at Walter S. Fraser Memorial Chapel in Georgetown.