Allen Voted MVP and Offensive Player of Year

Marcus Allen of the Raiders, who led the National Football League in rushing and set a record for combined running-receiving yardage, Sunday was named the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

The 1981 Heisman Trophy winner at USC ran for 1,759 yards to lead the league and caught 67 passes for 555 yards as the principal figure in the Raiders’ offense during a 12-4 season.

Allen was chosen for both MVP and Offensive Player honors in balloting by writers and broadcasters representing each of the NFL’s 28 cities. He was an easy winner over Chicago’s Walter Payton for the Offensive Player award, and edged Payton, 33-25, in the MVP balloting.