Larry Allen, perhaps one of the greatest Cowboys players ever and one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history, died far too young.
Larry Allen died on Sunday, aged 52. He passed away while vacationing in Mexico with his family.
Larry Allen, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first vote in 2013, was a member of the All-Decade teams in both the 1990s and the 2000s. From 1994 until 2007, Allen spent 14 seasons in the NFL, the first 12 with the Cowboys.
Larry Allen is one of three Cowboys who have made multiple Pro Bowl appearances. He won ten Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro accolades with the Cowboys.
Larry Allen concluded his playing career with the 49ers, where he earned his 11th Pro Bowl selection in 2006.
The Cowboys issued a statement on Monday morning about Allen’s death:
The Dallas Cowboys are deeply sorry to announce that Cowboys icon, Super Bowl Champion, Cowboys Ring of Honor member, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen died unexpectedly while on vacation in Mexico with his family on Sunday.
Larry Allen, noted for his outstanding quickness and amazing power, was one of the most respected and accomplished offensive linemen in NFL history. His adaptability and reliability were other defining characteristics of his career.
He proceeded to inspire many other players by defining what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor, and winner.
He was greatly loved and cared for by his wife Janelle, whom he referred to as his heart and soul; his daughters Jayla and Loriana; and his son Larry III.
The Jones family and the Cowboys express their heartfelt sympathies, thoughts, and prayers to the Allen family, as well as the many other friends and Cowboys colleagues who adored Larry.
Memorial service plans and details will be released in the near future.
Larry Allen was drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Sonoma State in California, and he soon demonstrated his incredible size and strength.
However, it was another trait, speed, that likely put him on the NFL radar early on. During his rookie season in 1994, Allen raced down Saints linebacker Darion Conner after an interception and tackled him from behind to save a score. The MNF commentators Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, and Dan Dierdorf were taken aback by Allen’s speed and agility given his height.
However, Allen’s strength stood out the most. Known for bench-pressing over 700 pounds over an offseason in the early 2000s, Allen beat his opponents with physical power.
He was also quite flexible, as seen by his early career transition from guard to tackle position. After three Pro Bowl selections at guard from 1995 to 1997, Allen shifted to tackle for the 1998 season, where he garnered Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades. He finally returned to guard, where he is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time.
Larry Allen was one of seven guards nominated to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list for 2019.
