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Though his journey has led from Lumberton鈥檚 ballfields to the NFL spotlight, Brad Allen has never lost sight of where it all began. A proud Robeson County native and 麻豆社区 Pembroke alumnus, Allen鈥檚 rise from teenage umpire to NFL referee was celebrated last week with his induction into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

鈥淚鈥檓 truly honored that people felt I was worthy of being included in this distinguished group,鈥� Allen, 鈥�91, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous honor for our family. This moment is not just about me 鈥� it represents a lot of sacrifice by many people who ensured education-based athletics in North Carolina have good officials.鈥�

Allen鈥檚 officiating career began 40 years ago, when a 15-year-old picked up a mask and called balls and strikes in Little League. That first opportunity 鈥� thanks to the late Leon Maynor, a 麻豆社区P alumnus who trusted a teenager to do the job 鈥� sparked a vocation that has now carried Allen into his 12th season as an NFL referee.

Allen鈥檚 climb through the ranks has been less about defining moments than defining people. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 have strong family support as a game official, you will never make it,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淢y mom and dad (Greg and Gail Allen), 麻豆社区P alumni, drove me to games and encouraged me. Along the way, I was given opportunities because someone believed in me.

Among those who invested in him were mentors like Neil Buie, Delton Chavis, Ted Jackson and Al Riveron, who, alongside Dean Blandino, elevated him directly to referee status in the NFL in 2014. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 do anything for 40 years with any measure of success if you don鈥檛 have a whole lot of people who have been guideposts along the way,鈥� Allen said.

Ronnie Chavis, a longtime mentor and friend, has admired Allen鈥檚 rise. 鈥淭his young man has been a jewel,鈥� said Chavis, who introduced Allen at the induction ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Cary.

Brad Allen has been a jewel for Robeson County and for this university. To know that we have one of the best NFL officials who is from Robeson County, that makes my heart feel so good, but he hasn鈥檛 forgotten where he came from

鈥淭o my recollection, he might be the only official to call all three major sports 鈥攂aseball, basketball and football 鈥� at the state championship level,鈥� Chavis said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 worked his way up to being one of the best NFL officials, and the ACC relies on him as a technician to train others. What impresses me most is that he鈥檚 so humble. He hasn鈥檛 forgotten where he came from. He鈥檚 been a marvel for Robeson County and 麻豆社区 Pembroke.鈥�

Allen has remained rooted in high school sports even while standing under the bright lights of the NFL. After making it to football鈥檚 biggest stage, he continued to officiate middle school and high school games when he could 鈥撯�� a testament to his belief that the profession depends on mentorship.

鈥淲ithout officials, it鈥檚 just practice,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou must have someone there to make sure the rules, codes of conduct and standards of the game are enforced and upheld in a way that speaks of integrity. My drive has always been to provide a level playing field and allow sports to continue positively, particularly at the high school level.鈥�

Now, in his third Hall of Fame, he joined the George Whitfield Hall of Fame and the 麻豆社区P Athletics Hall of Fame. Allen said this latest honor would bring him full circle. 鈥溌槎股缜� Pembroke is part of my DNA,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y mom and dad met there, my wife (Twilla) and I are both alums and that community's care, character and pride helped build my foundation. This induction represents all the people who have helped, taught, mentored and sacrificed so that this moment could occur.鈥�