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THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Former Argos QB Damon Allen has no problem seeing his all-time CFL passing records fall to Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo.
But the 23-year veteran who retired in 2007 feels it should not be forgotten that he was not only a top passer, but also ran the ball as well or better than most of the running backs of his era.
Calvillo is set to break Allen’s record of 394 career touchdown passes and is expected to set new marks for completions and passing yards later in the season.
‘I remember the first time I was in pursuit of Ron Lancaster’s records and once I broke them, he told me that if there was one person he wouldn’t mind breaking them it was me,’ Allen said Wednesday on a conference call. ‘In this situation and with what Anthony is doing, I truly believe I can say the same thing.
‘On a lighter note, he’s a true passer. If I can add my (93) rushing touchdowns to that number, he would have a little bit more ways to go.’
If he stays healthy, Calvillo should catch Allen’s mark of 5,158 completions within a few games and pass his 72,381 passing yards later in the season.
But Allen had another weapon in his arsenal. His 11,920 rushing yards is third in league history behind running backs Mike Pringle
(16,425) and George Reed (16,116).
The lumbering Calvillo is more than 6,000 yards behind Allen’s rushing total.
‘We’re two different quarterbacks,’ said Allen. ‘He’s been a true passer ever since the word and I had to go about it a different way. I was a runner my first 10 years. I kind of snuck up on 72,000.
‘It’s phenomenal to see the things he’s accomplished, but at the same time, records are meant to be broken and I truly understand that.’
Allen said he won’t be on hand Friday night when Calvillo tries to set the passing TDs record against the visiting Toronto Argonauts, but would like to be there when he sets the passing yards record.