Ted Alflen

Ted (Theodore Thomas) 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.