Ted Alflen
Encyclopedia
Ted Alflen (born January 3, 1947 in Dunsmuir, California
) was an American college and professional football player. A defensive back
and halfback
, he played college football
at Springfield College
, and played professionally in the American Football League
for the Denver Broncos
in 1969, and in the Canadian Football League
for the Montreal Alouettes
in 1970. After being cut by the Alouettes during training camp in 1971, he tried out for the New England Patriots
, but was cut during the pre-season there as well.
He held Springfield College's record for most points scored in a game (36) vs. Tufts in 1968, which stood until 2006 (a 38-year old record).
Alflen's moment in the limelight came during his short stint with Montreal. Alouettes coach Sam Etcheverry
had suspended running back Dennis Duncan and receiver Bob McCarthy for curfew violations. Alflen, who had been playing for the Long Island Bulldogs, was brought in just in time for the playoffs, and played only three games in his brief but noteworthy career as a Lark. During the first quarter of the 1970 Grey Cup game, the Alouettes were third-and-one at the Calgary Stampeders
' ten yard line. Alflen was sent in as a play courier with instructions for a hand-off up the middle to running back Moses Denson
for the third-down gamble. But Denson was forced wide to the right by Calgary's Terry Wilson. Wilson was flat on the ground but had Denson's ankle in his grip. Denson caught site of Alflen open downfield and launched a perfect strike. "I was blocking and saw Moses was in trouble. I headed for the end zone, he saw me and lofted a perfect pass to me. It was a magical sort of play; something instantaneous. It was an amazing moment for me."
After his football career, Alflen worked in sales for a chemical company, was an assistant football coach at Edison High School in Miami, Florida for two years, then worked as director of sales and development for a sun-care products company.
Dunsmuir, California
Dunsmuir is a city in Siskiyou County, California, United States. The population was 1,650 at the 2010 census, down from 1,923 at the 2000 census. It is currently a hub of tourism in Northern California as visitors enjoy fishing, skiing, climbing, or sight-seeing...
) was an American college and professional football player. A defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
and halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, he played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Springfield College
Springfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
, and played professionally in the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1969, and in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
for the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
in 1970. After being cut by the Alouettes during training camp in 1971, he tried out for the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, but was cut during the pre-season there as well.
He held Springfield College's record for most points scored in a game (36) vs. Tufts in 1968, which stood until 2006 (a 38-year old record).
Alflen's moment in the limelight came during his short stint with Montreal. Alouettes coach Sam Etcheverry
Sam Etcheverry
Sam "The Rifle" Etcheverry was a professional American and Canadian football player and head coach. Etcheverry played the quarterback position, most famously with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and was named Canadian football's Most Outstanding Player in 1954...
had suspended running back Dennis Duncan and receiver Bob McCarthy for curfew violations. Alflen, who had been playing for the Long Island Bulldogs, was brought in just in time for the playoffs, and played only three games in his brief but noteworthy career as a Lark. During the first quarter of the 1970 Grey Cup game, the Alouettes were third-and-one at the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
' ten yard line. Alflen was sent in as a play courier with instructions for a hand-off up the middle to running back Moses Denson
Moses Denson
Moses Denson is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore....
for the third-down gamble. But Denson was forced wide to the right by Calgary's Terry Wilson. Wilson was flat on the ground but had Denson's ankle in his grip. Denson caught site of Alflen open downfield and launched a perfect strike. "I was blocking and saw Moses was in trouble. I headed for the end zone, he saw me and lofted a perfect pass to me. It was a magical sort of play; something instantaneous. It was an amazing moment for me."
After his football career, Alflen worked in sales for a chemical company, was an assistant football coach at Edison High School in Miami, Florida for two years, then worked as director of sales and development for a sun-care products company.