The Dallas Cowboys announced Monday that Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen has passed away.
According to the team, Allen, 52, died suddenly while on vacation in Mexico.
“Known for his incredible athleticism and incredible strength, Larry was one of the most respected and accomplished offensive linemen in NFL history,” the team said in a statement. “His versatility and reliability were also hallmarks of his career. Through it all, he remained a great teammate, competitor and inspiration to so many other players who defined what it means to be a winner.”
“He was deeply loved and cherished by his wife, Janelle, whom he called his heart and soul, his daughters Jayla and Lorianna, and his son Larry III.
“The Jones family and Cowboys offer their deepest condolences and prayers to the Allen family and grieve along with the many other friends and Cowboys teammates who loved Larry.
“The date and details of the memorial service will be announced soon.”
Allen played 12 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Cowboys and was one of the best offensive linemen in league history. He was a seven-time NFL first-team All-Pro selection and an 11-time Pro Bowl selection at both guard and tackle. He helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX in 1996.
Larry Allen was one of the greatest athletes in NFL history.
Possibly the greatest run blocker of all time, but also has incredible speed.
Here he was making a chase tackle out of nowhere. pic.twitter.com/vTSPLXrlrm
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 3, 2024
A second-round draft pick out of Sonoma State in 1994, Allen was a dominant player at both positions and was named to the NFL All-Decade Teams in both the 1990s and 2000s.
Allen spent his final two NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before signing a one-day contract with the Cowboys and retiring in 2009. Four years later, Allen headed to Canton, Ohio, as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
