TORONTO - For more than two decades Damon Allen was able to elude and outrun oncoming defensive players and lead four teams to Grey Cup titles while becoming pro football's all-time passing leader.

But the one opponent Allen couldn't outrun was time.

Allen retired Wednesday after a stellar 23-year CFL career. The 44-year-old played for six teams over that amazing span, spending his final five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts.

"There's an end for everybody at some point,'' Allen said. "The reality is it's a young man's game.

"When you have that in mind, then the team will always try to go younger. That's a natural process. I understand the business. I'm not bitter or anything like that. I've had the time of my life. I respect the game, I love the game, I will still be a part of the game. I just don't have to take any more hits from 300-pound linemen.''

An eloquent and reflective Allen was the model of composure and grace throughout his retirement speech. With his wife, Desiree, and 18-month-old son at his side, Allen patiently thanked fans, former teammates and coaches _ and even the media _ during his passionate address. His voice was strong and constant throughout, although there were a few times when he needed to pause, seemingly to keep a lid on his emotions.

Argos GM Adam Rita wasn't so fortunate. His voice wavered often as he spoke about his 13-year association with Allen in Edmonton, B.C. and Toronto, either as a coach or front-office official.

"Damon has been a very important part of my career,'' Rita said. "His family has become a part of my family.''

Allen did show a sense of humour, opening the news conference by stating he was retiring so he could apply for the vacant Toronto Maple Leafs general manager's job.

Instead, he will remain with the Argos as the special adviser to chief operating officer Mike (Pinball) Clemons, Allen's former head coach.

"We've done this so he can have some flexibility in what he does,'' Clemons said. "He can be as busy as he wants to be.''

Toronto will be offering $9 special tickets to its July 3 home opener against Hamilton at Rogers Centre. The club will also honour Allen at that time.

Interestingly, Allen didn't close the door completely on returning as a player this season.

Allen expects teams to call when their quarterbacks are injured. But while Allen will listen to offers, he says if he does come out of retirement, it will be to serve as a short-term emergency replacement and not launch a comeback as full-time starter.

"I think about the Michael Jordan situation and how some people always say some of his legacy is tainted because he went back and forth (from retirement to the hardcourt),'' Allen said. "I've always wanted to be the one that once I retired, I retired.

"I wouldn't be surprised if that (teams calling) happened but whether I play or not, that's a totally different story.''

Allen's announcement ended months of speculation regarding his football future. Allen said while he often publicly insisted he wanted to play another season, he knew for some time retirement was looming.

In fact, Allen said when he participated in his quarterback challenge earlier this month, it marked the first time this off-season he had thrown a football.

There were also clear and obvious signs last season Toronto wanted to move on as well.

Allen, the younger brother of Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, began the 2007 campaign as Toronto's starter before being replaced by Bishop in the first game and falling to No. 3 on the depth chart behind backup Mike McMahon. Allen returned under centre midway through the season but suffered a toe injury. Rather than wait for Allen to heal, the Argos placed him on the nine-game injured list, thus ending his season.

Then, in the off-season, the Argos not only acquired '07 CFL MVP Kerry Joseph in a blockbuster trade with Saskatchewan _ and later signed him to a lucrative contract extension -- but also re-signed Bishop.

That would've left Allen to battle youngsters Reggie McNeal and Cody Pickett for the No. 3 job in camp. CFL teams usually reserve the third spot for an up-and-coming player, not a 23-year veteran.

So Allen faced either going to camp and likely being released or retiring and going out on his own terms.

"This time comes for all of us,'' said Argos veteran safety Orlondo Steinauer. "The special thing is so many athletes leave the game bitter.

"When you get to leave the game on your own terms, I think it's a special and rare moment.''

Allen, a football and baseball star at Cal State Fullerton, leaves the CFL with a stellar football resume that will land him a spot in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Some career highlights include:

Pro football's career passing leader with 72,381 yards.

Leads CFL in career touchdown passes (394), pass attempts (9,138) and completions (5,158).

Longest completion in CFL history (109 yards).

Three times named a Grey Cup MVP.

CFL's all-time leading quarterback rusher with 11,920 yards, leaving him third all-time behind Mike Pringle (16,425 yards) and George Reed (16,116). Allen finishes just 323 yards rushing behind his brother, Marcus.

Not only was Allen's longevity amazing, so too was that he arguably played his best football late in his career. From 1997 to '07, he surpassed the 4,000-yard passing plateau four times (he also had 3,987 yards in '02).

At age 41, Allen led Toronto to a Grey Cup title in '04 against B.C. despite having suffered a fractured tibia earlier in the year. With his brother in the stands at Ottawa, Allen captured Grey Cup MVP honours for the third time after completing 23-of-34 passes for 299 yards and one TD. He also ran five times for 10 yards and two TDs.

In 2005, he won the CFL's outstanding player award for the first time after passing for career-high 5,082 yards.

The following season, Allen suffered a broken finger that forced him to miss roughly a month of action. But he returned to the starting lineup and Sept. 4 in Hamilton surpassed former CFL star and boyhood idol Warren Moon (70,553 yards) as pro football's all-time passing leader.

"I know there were people who figured I should've retired after 2000 (when Allen led B.C. to a Grey Cup title),'' Allen said. "Thankfully, the Argos traded for me because my five years in Toronto have been very, very special.''

Bishop, for one, wasn't surprised Allen enjoyed so much success in the latter stages of his career.

"If you take care of yourself, stay in shape and treat your body right you can do anything you put your mind to,'' he said. "He did it for 23 years and while he had a couple of injuries along the way, that's all part of football.

"The big thing is being able to come back.''

Bishop spent his early years playing behind Allen before eventually wresting the starting job from the veteran. However, Bishop said he learned plenty just watching Allen.

"You have to read a book for 23 years of experience,'' Bishop said. "Sometimes you sit back and wonder how he's able to make that throw across the field, how is he out-running guys who I know are in shape?

"But it's all about how he carried himself and how he took care of his body. He did a great job of doing that and it showed on the field.''