Flashback: Anthony Allen, Garfield, Class of 1978

Sport: Football

High-school rewind
Played wide receiver, quarterback and safety for Garfield and was a member of the only three Bulldogs teams to play in the state playoffs (1975, '76 '77). Was a sophomore wide receiver during his team's historic first-round game against Bishop Blanchet on Nov. 7, 1975, that went into four overtimes before Blanchet won, 42-35. Metro League AAA Player of the Year as a senior and listed among the top 100 prep athletes in the nation.

After high school
Played four years for Washington (1979-82), primarily as a wide receiver and with special teams. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder ranks third on the Huskies' all-time kickoff return list with a 24.0-yard average and 1,283 total yards. Also played in the now-defunct USFL and on several NFL teams, including a year with the 1987 Washington Redskins team that won the Super Bowl.

After athletics
Operates a Bellevue cleaning service he started 13 years ago.

Personal
Allen, 44, married his high-school sweetheart, Renee, 15 years ago. The couple lives in Seattle with daughters Danielle, 20, and Katherine, 14.

Fast forward
Allen credits his success on the football field to his cousin, Willie Rhodes, who also attended Garfield.

"He was the best football player around here," Allen said. "He would tackle anybody, but he was just too small to play."

The cousins played two-man football games where they kicked off and passed to each other. Rhodes taught Allen to watch how the football bounces and rolls during kickoffs and punts.

"He always pushed me," Allen said. "He always made me play hard and just compete."

Allen enjoyed football at each level he played, but said he only talks about those days when people ask.

"When it's over it's over," he said. "You just enjoy the moments."

— Jeannine Befidi