In brief

Setup perfect for Allen's Hall election

SAN DIEGO -- The setting couldn't be more idyllic for Marcus Allen.

It's Super Bowl week in his hometown of San Diego. The Raiders returned to the Super Bowl for the first time in 19 years, since Allen's memorable performance sparked the Los Angeles Raiders to the championship.

Today, Allen, who spent the last five seasons of his brilliant 16-year career with the Chiefs, is expected to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Could there be a better backdrop for the game's ultimate honor?

"It would be the perfect place," Allen said. "What better place than San Diego, where I was born and raised? This is initially what I set out to do, and any time you realize your dream, you have to feel good."

Allen, 42, is one of 15 finalists who will be considered for selection by a 39-member board of selectors.

From four to seven candidates will be elected.

"You recognize there's not a higher level than the NFL," Allen said, "and to say you're one of the better players in the world. ... And you have to recognize all the people who had a hand in your success. For me, the first guy who ever bought me football cleats and paid that first application fee to play Pop Warner football is my father, Red.

"Much like when I won the Heisman Trophy, I will probably be more happy for my parents than for myself."

For 11 seasons, Allen was the cornerstone of the Raiders backfield. He ran for 191 yards and two touchdowns, one for 74 yards, and was voted MVP in the 1984 Super Bowl. A year later, he was the league MVP when he led the NFL by rushing for 1,759 yards and 11 TDs. He also caught 67 passes for 555 yards and three more TDs.

But his acrimonious relationship with owner Al Davis led Allen to sign with the Chiefs as a free agent in 1993.

A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Allen was the first player to rush for over 10,000 yards and catch passes for 5,000 more. He finished his career with 12,243 yards rushing and 5,411 receiving and scored 145 touchdowns as one of the game's best goal-line and short-yardage runners.

Also among 15 finalists are longtime Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler, who led the team to five straight AFC Championship Games and seven straight winning seasons, and cornerback Lester Hayes.

The other finalists are defensive ends Elvin Bethea and Claude Humphrey, linebackers Harry Carson and Randy Gradishar, guards Joe Delamielleure and Bob Kuechenberg, receivers James Lofton and Art Monk, tackle Gary Zimmerman, coach Hank Stram, owner Ralph Wilson and general manager/administrator George Young.

Bill Parcells was a finalist but removed himself from consideration when he signed to coach the Cowboys.

Allen and Zimmerman are the newest candidates, both in their first year of eligibility. Stram is the oldest, eligible for the 25th year.

Enshrinement of the class of 2003 is scheduled for Aug. 3 in the Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio.

HAIL MOM: Everybody knows a good mom can be counted on for carpool rides to and from practice and for bringing beverages and snacks on game day.

But the NFL wants to take motherhood and football one step further: onto the field.

As part of a new initiative to get women involved in youth football, the NFL is sponsoring clinics nationwide to train women to become youth referees and coaches.

In New York, where the program kicked off last summer, more than 20 moms became officials for a league of 150.

Friday, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer and his mother, Danna, conducted a women's clinic and youth football seminar at the NFL Experience encouraging moms to get involved.

"I encourage moms to let their children play football," Danna Palmer said. "Football teaches children a lot about who they are and a lot about who they want to be. ... Don't let your kids be told by anybody don't follow your dreams."

Palmer, the former Southern Cal quarterback, said mothers should be able to answer one fundamental question before letting their children play football.

"Make sure your kid really wants to play," Palmer said. "Make sure they completely, 100 percent want to play and give it their all."

And if they do decide to play, learn the game.

"Fundamentals is the key," he said. "There is stuff on the Internet, videotapes, all types of things you can do. If you don't know a lot about sports, there are plenty of books to help you get started. The more you know about the game, the more you will love and respect it."

GLAD TO BE HERE ... SORT OF: Giants coach Jim Fassel was a guest speaker at a clinic at NFL Experience, the league's interactive carnival of video games and hands-on activities.

Fassel arrived at his destination and was stunned to discover a tent filled with people, including many Giants fans who gave him a standing ovation.

"Gee, this is more people than I thought," Fassel said to security personnel as he approached the podium.

He opened by saying how happy he was to be there, adding he missed the opportunity to mingle with fans when the Giants went to the Super Bowl two years ago. Later, he said just the opposite.

"My whole goal in life and the reason I work so many long hours is to come back to this game, not as a spectator but with the New York Giants," he said.

BE ALL YOU CAN: It seems everybody has a gimmick to get fans to visit its site at the NFL Experience, and the military is no different.

At the Cross Into the Blue truck, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, organizers had players such as Lawyer Milloy of the Patriots sign autographs. And while fans waited, an emcee urged them to come in and watch a three-minute movie about life in the Air Force.

Considering the climate in this country with an impending war, no surprise there weren't many taking the offer to watch the film.

IMMIGRANT WORKERS ARRESTED: Immigration agents arrested 69 foreign-born security guards and drivers working at or around the Super Bowl in a three-month operation designed to ensure the safety of fans, authorities said. Another 41 were being sought.

As part of Operation Game Day, the Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested 45 security guards and 24 cab drivers. Of those, 34 had criminal convictions.

TOGETHER AGAIN: Thirty years after they completed the only undefeated season in NFL history, members of the 1972 Dolphins will be honored during the coin toss ceremony at Sunday's Super Bowl.

Miami went 17-0, capping the season with a 14-7 victory over Washington in the Super Bowl. As far as the Dolphins are concerned, their record stamps them as the best team in history.

"Nobody did it before and nobody's done it since," coach Don Shula said. "They keep score to see who wins. They keep records to see who's best. This team won two straight Super Bowls and lost six games in three years. Who wins the games is how you determine the best team. We'll stand by our record."

Around the NFL

HALL OF FAME GAME: The Packers will play the Chiefs in the annual game Aug. 4 in Canton.

BILLS: Oregon State career rushing leader Ken Simonton was one of six free agents signed. Buffalo also signed fullback Jarrett Ferguson, safety Milton Proctor, offensive lineman Ronald Boldin, linebacker Merceda Perry and kicker Jason Witczak.

RAMS: Defensive end Leonard Little has been charged with communicating threats and making harassing calls, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) police said.

SEAHAWKS: Tackle Chris Terry signed a five-year contract worth up to $19-million. The deal includes a $5-million signing bonus and a $1-million roster bonus if he's on the team in March 2004.

-- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times wires