#GetWellBob
#GetWellBob: Legendary TV sports anchor Bob Allen takes leave of absence to battle cancer
Longtime Houston sports anchor Bob Allen, who has legions of fans from his days at KTRK Channel 13 and now at KHOU Channel 11, has taken a leave of absence to battle cancer.
KHOU announced that Allen has been diagnosed with a form of T-Cell Lymphoma and "is very encouraged about his chances for recovery." In a story on the KHOU website, the station said:
During his treatment, Bob will be taking an extended leave from his on-air work at KHOU so he can focus all his energy and attention on getting well. He'll keep us posted on his progress and we'll make sure all the people who know him, trust him and care about him have the latest word on how he's doing."
Fans of Allen, who has been a Houston sports anchor for more than four decades, can send their best wishes on KHOU.com and on the station's Twitter and Facebook pages, using the hashtag, #GetWellBob.
In early 2013, Allen bid farewell to KTRK in an emotional goodbye after 38-1/2 years on the air. He came to the ABC affiliate in 1974 as Weekend Sports Director. Six months later he was named Sports Director, and is believed to have had the longest tenure of any major market sports anchor in the country.
Several months after leaving KTRK, he returned to TV at crosstown rival KHOU. "I've still got a lot of stories left to tell," said Allen, who was 66 at the time.
He still does.
