Hall of Famers in the backyard

          They are two heroes from different sports but they have a great deal in common. They have done everything possible on the field of play. Statistically, their careers are among the greatest of all time. Either might be the answer to the eternal sports question: Who was the greatest of all time?

          But there is a kicker to the story.

          They are Damon Allen and Reggie Miller, Hall of Fame careers but second-best in the backyard.

          Allen is second on the all-time list of professional quarterbacks in terms of yardage gained passing. He spent his professional career in the Canadian Football League and retired with the world record for passing yards. He was surpassed last year by Anthony Calvillo.

          Just about any other family would have shrine to Damon Allen in the front room. Trophies and photographs would be everywhere.

          Same thing with Reggie Miller, the retired professional basketball superstar. One of the best long distance shooters in the history of the game, he once scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to win a playoff game. This guy was within scoring range as soon as he hit town. Hero to the NBA and an also ran at home.

          It is a common theme for Damon and Reggie.

          Damon Allen’s older brother is Marcus Allen. Marcus Allen won the Heisman Trophy at USC and had one of the most amazing scoring runs in the history of the Super Bowl.

          Did you ever see the movie League of Their Own? Remember the scene where the sisters are introduced? Remember this line: “This is our daughter Dottie. And this is our other daughter, Dottie’s sister.” That’s what it is like to be Damon Allen, among the most prolific passers in pro football history and the second best-known football player in his family.

          Damon Allen, the younger brother, should be headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He’ll have to settle for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

          It’s worse for Reggie Miller. After his brilliant playing career ended, Miller turned to color commentary on nationally-televised NBA games. He does a good job with that work as well. Great college and pro player, outstanding announcer. Household name to basketball fans for decades.

          And his sister, Cheryl Miller, was the better player. Remember Cheryl Miller? Superstar college basketball player at USC, Olympic gold medalist and a member of three halls of fame. Cheryl Miller has also been an outstanding broadcaster, too.

          Cheryl used to beat Reggie in one-on-one competition in the family driveway when they were kids. True, she was the eldest, but a win is a win is a win.

          At a time when women’s basketball was not as generally popular as it is now or as popular as it will be in years to come, Cheryl Miller helped build the game into what it is now.

          It is true that Reggie Miller was the face of the Indiana Pacers for many years and deservedly so. But Cheryl Miller was the face of an entire sport.

          Is any of this fair? Probably not. But life is like that.

          Thanks for reading.