Will Allen ( safety ) Will Allen ( born June 17 , 1982 ) is an American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League ( NFL ) . Allen played college football for Ohio State University , and received All - American honors . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft . He has also played for the Dallas Cowboys . Early years . Allen was born in Dayton , Ohio . He attended Wayne High School in Huber Heights , Ohio , and played high school football for the Wayne Warriors . College career . Allen received an athletic scholarship to attend Ohio State University , where he was a four - year letterman for coach Jim Tressel ' s Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 2000 to 2003 . As a senior in 2003 , he was a consensus first - team All - America selection . In his first three seasons at Ohio State he played behind three - time All American Mike Doss , seeing action on the field primarily in nickel coverage on passing downs . Allen is perhaps best remembered among college football fans for two plays made during the 2002 BCS national championship season . The first occurred during the 2002 Ohio State - Michigan game , intercepting a pass from Michigan quarterback John Navarre during the closing seconds to preserve the 14 - 9 victory and an undefeated regular season . The second play was only one game later in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl for the national championship . In the second half , Allen tackled Miami running back Willis McGahee and delivered a shoulder blow to his left knee . McGahee had to be helped off the field ; he suffered ligament damage and was forced to miss his whole rookie year in the NFL . Professional career . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Allen played in every game in his rookie year on special teams but saw increasing time as a safety in the final weeks of the season . He made his first NFL interception against the Carolina Panthers and his first touchdown in week 6 of the following season against the Miami Dolphins . He started eight games in 2005 , playing at both free safety and strong safety due to injuries to Jermaine Phillips and Dexter Jackson . Allen ' s most noted contribution in his young NFL career occurred against the Green Bay Packers in 2005 , when he intercepted Packers quarterback Brett Favre twice in the fourth quarter . Buccaneers starting safety , Dexter Jackson , had been injured midway through the second quarter with a hamstring strain . Allen came into the game as a substitute . Allen was the Buccaneers ' special teams captain in 2008 . Allen was the first alternate for NFC Special Teams for the 2009 Pro Bowl . He was resigned to a 1 year $ 2 . 35 million contract on February 28 , 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers . On March 8 , 2010 , Allen signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers . On November 9 , 2012 , Allen was fined $ 7 , 875 for a late hit against New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz in Week 9 . Dallas Cowboys . On March 27 , 2013 , Allen signed a one year , $ 840 , 000 contract with the Dallas Cowboys . The deal included a $ 65 , 000 signing bonus . He was released on October 8 , 2013 . The Will Allen Foundation . The Will Allen Foundation was created in May 2008 to inspire youth to attain their personal best and to be an influence in the lives of families in Dayton , Ohio ; Tampa , Florida and Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . The foundation ’ s main focus is to provide students in the Quest for Real Life Success program with “ real ” life experiences and expose them to new and rewarding opportunities . Quest allows them to explore their curiosities and gives them the desire to strive and achieve goals outside of the everyday opportunities currently afforded to them . The mission of the Will Allen Foundation is to remove barriers by providing programs and resources for those committed to achieving their personal best , bettering themselves , their families and their communities . The vision of the Will Allen Foundation is to provide a level playing field for all , allowing for each individual to achieve their greatest success .