Allison played college football for the Memphis State Tigers from 1990 to 1993.[3] In 1992, his junior season at the school, Allison won the Lou Groza Award, awarded to the nation's top placekicker. During the season, Allison made 23 out of 25 field goals, and led the NCAA in both field goals made as well as field goal percentage, where he achieved 92 percent. He also connected on all 32 extra points that he attempted. For the 1992 season, Allison scored a total of 101 points. Allison was also named to the first-team All-American team, the first Memphis State University player in the school's history to be honored with that recognition.[4]
He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.[3]
Allison played a single regular season game for the Memphis Mad Dogs of the Canadian Football League, in which he completed six kick-offs, scored one field goal on three attempts, and made two singles.[5]
Personal life
Joe Allison's first cousin was Davey Allison, who was a NASCARrace car driver for Robert Yates Racing. Davey was killed in a helicopter accident in 1993. Joe was the godfather to Davey's daughter Krista.[2] Joe and Davey were very close, and after his death, Joe said "Before I go in to kick, I put my hat down and say, 'Davey, give me the strength to do the best I can, to be as strong as you were.'"[2]
References
^Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 144. ISBN978-0983513667.
^Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 590. ISBN978-0983513667.