Damon Allen Sets Passing Record

Former Titan Damon Allen Sets Passing Record

Allen finished with a career total of 70,596 yards, surpassing Warren Moon’s record of 70,553 combined yards in the CFL and NFL

September 15, 2006
by Mel Franks

With a 29-yard completion to Arland Bruce lll Sept. 5, Toronto Argonauts quarterback and former CSUF Titan Damon Allen (1981-84) became the leading passer in the history of professional football.

At the Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario, the 22-year Canadian Football League veteran eclipsed the 70,553-yard record held by Warren Moon, setting a new benchmark and rewriting history books.

Allen, who played for the Titans from 1981 to 1984, finished the 40-6 win over Hamilton with 207 passing yards (16-for-24 with 2 touchdowns) for a career total of 70,596 yards, surpassing Warren Moon’s record of 70,553 combined yards in the CFL and NFL.

The Labour Day Classic game was stopped to acknowledge this historic moment as the ball was presented to Allen by CFL Commissioner Tom Wright, Toronto Argonauts co-owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski and veteran National Football League head coach Steve Mariucci (San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions), who was Allen’s QB coach in college.

Commented Mariucci, “Words cannot describe how proud I am of Damon. This is truly remarkable. Having been Damon’s coach at Cal State (he was an 18-year old, 155-pound kid from San Diego!), I can say he always pursued the game with a great deal of determination and a great love and respect for football. After 22 years of pro football excellence, he continues to amaze us all. He is certainly a credit to his sport!”

The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced that Sept. 9 home game at Rogers Centre will be Damon Allen Day to celebrate Toronto’s legendary quarterback. The game date coincides with Damon’s current player number, as well as the number he wore as a Titan. A pre-game ceremony, produced in conjunction with the CFL on CBC, will include Canadian Football and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon, Damon’s brother and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen and other special guests.

Damon Allen is the CFL’s 2005 Most Outstanding Player, a 2-time Grey Cup MVP, a 1-time Grey Cup Offensive Player of the Game, and a 4-time Grey Cup champion. He holds many CFL records, including: all-time leading passer, all-time leader in passing touchdowns, all-time leader in pass attempts and all-time leader in pass completions. He also is the all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback and ranks third in all-time CFL rushing by any player.

Footnote:
In the Sept. 5 game, Noel Prefontaine kicked a field goal and three converts for Toronto. Prefontaine played for the Titans as the freshman kicker on the school’s final team in 1992.