This week in Eastern Wayne County history.
George Allen died on December 31, 1990
George Herbert Allen (1918–1990), born in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, was an American football coach known for his disciplined style and winning record. He graduated from Lake Shore High School and earned degrees from Michigan State Normal College and the University of Michigan. Allen coached at Morningside and Whittier Colleges before joining the NFL as an assistant. He later served as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins, compiling a 116–47–5 regular-season record. His teams made the playoffs seven times and appeared in Super Bowl VII. Allen also coached in the USFL and returned briefly to college football at Long Beach State in 1990. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. His career was marked by strict preparation, strong defensive teams, and veteran-focused strategies. Allen died of heart failure at age 72. His early years in Michigan shaped the foundation of a long coaching career.