| Date of birth | (1953-03-12)12 March 1953 (age 72) |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Ancaster, Ontario, Canada |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | C/DE/G/DT |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| Canada university | Acadia University |
| High school | Ancaster HS |
| CFL draft | 1975 / round: 1 / pick: 7 |
| Drafted by | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1975–1976 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| 1977–1978 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 1979–1981 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1982–1986 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 1987–1988 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Marv Allemang (born 3 December 1953) is a former professionalCanadian footballoffensive lineman anddefensive lineman who played 14 seasons in theCanadian Football League (CFL). He most notably playedcenter for theHamilton Tiger-Cats andOttawa Rough Riders later in his career.
Allemang played forAcadia University and was nominated for theJ. P. Metras Trophy for outstanding intercollegiate lineman in 1974. He played for the Rough Riders from 1975 to 1976. After winning the64th Grey Cup with the Rough Riders, Allemang spent one season with the Tiger-Cats. From 1979 to 1981, he played for theWinnipeg Blue Bombers before returning to Hamilton from 1982 to 1986. He was part of the74th Grey Cup championship-winningHamilton Tiger-Cats in the1986 CFL season. He returned to spend his final two years in the CFL with Ottawa, retiring after the 1988–89 season.
Allemang playedcollege football for theAcadia Axemen as both atight end and defensive lineman until 1974. He was named anAtlantic Universities Athletic Association (AUAA) All-Star three times during his career. Allemang was also named an All-Canadian as a junior and senior.[1] In his final year with the Axemen, Allemang was the AUAA nominee for the newly createdJ. P. Metras Trophy, an award for the most outstanding lineman in Canadian intercollegiate football.[2]
Allemang was selected in the first round of the1975 CFL Draft by theOttawa Rough Riders with the seventh overall pick. He played in all regular season games with the Rough Riders from 1975 to 1976.[3] In the 1975 season, the Rough Riders lost in the East Division Final. The following season, they won the64th Grey Cup, making Allemang a Grey Cup champion for the first time.[4]
Allemang was signed by theHamilton Tiger-Cats before the 1977 season, and he went on to play in 31 games for the Tiger-Cats through 1978.[3] He was used in a variety of roles. WhileAl Romano was injured in 1978, Allemang featured as a starting defensive lineman.[5] He later replaced the injuredBruce Holland as a defensive tackle.[6] Outside of these brief stints as a starter, Allemang served as a back-up for both the offensive and defensive lines.[7]
On 18 May 1979, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded Allemang and a draft pick to theWinnipeg Blue Bombers forlinebackerHarry Walters and defensive endJim Heighton.[8] The retirement of theBuddy Brown left the Blue Bombers looking for an offensive guard, and they transitioned Allemang into this role on the right side of the offensive line.[9] Allemang played in all 16 regular season games during the 1979 season, primarily on the offense.[3][10] He returned to the defensive line in 1980 and alternated between the offense and defense for the remainder of his time with the Blue Bombers.[11] In 1981, Allemang saw a reduced role, playing in only four games. After playing 36 total regular season games with the Blue Bombers, Allemang was cut in October 1981.[3][12]
In March 1982, it was reported that theMontreal Alouettes were about to sign Allemang, but he instead joined the Tiger-Cats the following month.[13][14] In 1983, Allemang was part of an offensive line that was described as "the worst in the CFL", but they allowed the fewest quarterback sacks and advanced to the East Final before losing to theToronto Argonauts.[15][16] The Tiger-Cats advanced to the Grey Cup in 1984 but lost to the Blue Bombers after the offensive line created only 24 rushing yards on nine carries.[17] In 1985, Allemang was converted from an offensive tackle to a center, and his performance in his new role was described as "commendable" by head coachAl Bruno.[18] Allemang was named an East Division all-star and nominated for theLeo Dandurand Trophy, which goes to the East Division's most outstanding offensive lineman.[3][19] The Tiger-Cats again appeared in the Grey Cup game, losing to theBC Lions 37–24. In the championship game, the offensive line blocked to allow 213 rushing yards on 24 carries.[17] Allemang remained a center in 1986 and received his second East Division all-star distinction.[20] The Tiger-Cats won the74th Grey Cup against theEdmonton Eskimos 39–15 after entering the game as severe underdogs, providing Allemang with his second Grey Cup ring.[21]
Following the 1986 season, the CFL held an equalization draft in which the three teams that did not qualify for playoffs could draft certain players from the six teams that qualified for playoffs.[22] In the equalization draft, the Ottawa Rough Riders acquired Allemang.[22] The draft, which was held in secret and intentionally hidden from the media, received harsh criticism from the teams which lost players.[22] Tiger-Cats personnel directorMike McCarthy referred to the equalization draft as a "socialist draft", and Allemang expressed discontent with the unexpected move to Ottawa.[22][23]
Allemang remained in his role as a center with the Rough Riders.[24] In 1987, he played in 11 regular season games, missing time due to a knee injury which required surgery.[3][24][25] Allemang re-signed with the Rough Riders before the 1988 season and went on to play in all 18 games.[3][26] For the second time, he was nominated for the Leo Dandurand Trophy.[27]
In March 1989, incoming head coachSteve Goldman developed a long-term strategy for the Rough Riders that involved a focus on developing younger players. As part of his efforts, Goldman gave Allemang an ultimatum to retire or be released from the team, and Allemang announced his retirement later that month.[28]
After retiring from football, Allemang became a tax investigator withRevenue Canada, the Canadian tax agency. In 1996, he became a firefighter inAncaster, Ontario, a position from which he retired in 2013.[29]