Two-time Olympian and football player Devon Allen is juggling a career with the Philadelphia Eagles and the professional track and field racing circuit.
Allen, 28, spent the 2022-2023 football season on the Eagles’ practice squad. The Eagles made it to the Super Bowl before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. Because of the deep playoff run, Allen had to miss the indoor season.
“We didn’t finish playing until February 12,” Allen told KPIC 4. “Then, obviously, I wanted a little bit of time off to make sure I’m not banged up.”
Allen was a wide receiver at the University of Oregon for three seasons—2014, 2015, and 2016—where he made 54 catches for 919 yards and eight touchdowns. Then, he set his sights on track, making it to the finals of the 110-meter hurdles at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In April 2022, Allen signed with the Eagles before being cut in August, then placed on the team’s practice squad, where he remained for the 2022-2023 season. At Worlds in July, Allen was controversially disqualified from the 110-meter hurdle final/
Just last weekend, the football-player-turned-track-star-turned-both placed second in the 110-meter hurdles at the USATF New York City Grand Prix with a time of 13.04 seconds, making Allen tied for the fourth-fastest time in the world in the event.
But Allen may soon need to pick a sport. He’s vying for a spot on the national team for this year’s World Championships, which take place in August—during the thick of the Eagles’s preseason.
“I still don't have a plan of what I’m going to do with Worlds being during training camp,” he told KPIC 4. “It’d be nice to compete at Worlds and it would also be nice to be at training camp so I can make the 53-man roster. Obviously it’s going to be a little bit of a decision, but I’m not going to worry about that . . . until I make the World Championship team.”
Allen will compete at his alma mater in Eugene, Oregon, for the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which are held July 6 through July 9.
This year, he’s competed at six outdoor events and was a repeat winner at the Penn Relays in April. He was also sighted at one of the Eagles’s “open-to-reporters” events, according to Sports Illustrated.
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.
