Last week the Philadelphia Eagles‘ receiving corps were ranked fourth-best by Pro Football Focus. This week, the same group can now say they have one of the fastest hurdlers in history.
On Sunday, wide receiver Devon Allen won the 110-meter hurdles at the USATF NYC Grand Prix, becoming the third-fastest finisher in history. Allen completed the race in 12.84 seconds, just four-hundredths of a second off the world record (12.80) set in 2012.
THE THIRD FASTEST TIME EVER! @DevonAllen13 of the @Eagles wins the men's 110m hurdles! @SNFonNBC
📺: @nbc and @peacockTV
💻 https://t.co/DBJg3Xp3aA pic.twitter.com/2RXud8cqR2— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) June 12, 2022
DEVON ALLEN: A TRACK STAR IN THE NFL
Allen committed to the University of Oregon, focusing on a dual collegiate career in both track and field and football. As a wide receiver, his freshman season was his most productive. Allen finished with 41 receptions for 684 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The same year, he placed first in the 110-meter hurdles in the 2014 NCAA Division I Championships and the USA Champtionships.
He went on to place first again in the 2016 NCAA Division I Championships, eventually reaching the finals in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Following college, Allen decided to pursue a career in track and field, adding continuous medals to his resume, and another run in the Olympic Games, this time in 2021.
Six years out from football, Allen participated in the Pro Day this past offseason, using his speed to his advantage. After running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a three-year deal in April.
Before Philadelphia begins training camp on July 26, Allen will participate in two more track and field events — USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships and the World Athletics Championships. This time, he’s preparing to go even further.
Sunday he stated, “I thought I could break the record today. Clean up a few things, and four-hundredths of a second is four-thousandths of a second per hurdle, which is so small. Going to have to wait for another race.”
Though Allen sits further back on the Eagles’ depth chart, his performance this weekend may catch some looks for a second time.
Allen stated, “I train to be explosive, and as strong as possible on the track. And that’s pretty much what I’ll be doing in football. For the most part, I think my job is going to be to be the fast guy. I’m one of the fastest men in the world so I need to be able to show that on the field.”
Until Allen’s races are finished, he will cut back on organized team activities with the Eagles, with full support from his teammates.