Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen died suddenly at age 52 on Sunday while on vacation with his family in Mexico.
Through a statement, the Cowboys announced the death of the Pro Football Hall of Fame player.
Through a statement, the Cowboys announced the death of the Pro Football Hall of Fame player.
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The statement from the Dallas Cowboys on the death of Larry Allen
“Known for his tremendous athleticism and incredible strength, Larry was one of the most respected and accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL.”
The statement from the Dallas Cowboys on the death of Larry Allen
“Known for his tremendous athleticism and incredible strength, Larry was one of the most respected and accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL.”
"His versatility and dependability were also distinctive parts of his career. Through that, he continued to serve as an inspiration to many other players, defining what it means to be a great teammate, competitor and winner," the team said in the statement. .
"He was deeply loved and cared for by his wife, Janelle, whom he referred to as his heart and soul, his daughters Jayla and Lariana and his son, Larry III. The Jones family and the Cowboys extend their deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Allen family and mourn along with many other friends and Cowboys teammates who also loved Larry," the Cowboys organization added.
The Cowboys said arrangements for a memorial service will be announced in the near future.
Who was Larry Allen?
Allen was a second-round pick out of Sonoma State in the 1994 NFL Draft, and quickly became one of the most dominant offensive linemen in NFL history.
He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and was inducted into the Canton, Ohio, Hall of Fame in the class of 2013.
He played for the Cowboys from 1994 to 2005, winning Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent his last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Allen overcame a challenging upbringing in Compton, California. He was once stabbed 12 times while protecting one of his brothers.
He attended four different high schools before attending Butte College. He later played at Sonoma State, where the Cowboys found the raw but talented Allen and took him with the 46th overall pick.
With Dallas, he was the quarterback protector from Troy Aikman to Tony Romo, and once moved from guard to tackle.
Allen played right tackle, right guard and left tackle, but primarily played left guard and was a seven-time first-team All-Pro. He was named to the All-Decade team of the 2000s.
His strength feats in the Cowboys' weight room were legendary; he once bench-pressed up to 700 pounds.
His speed for his enormous size surprised many, even chasing down New Orleans Saints linebacker Darien Conner on an interception return in 1994.
"He was deeply loved and cared for by his wife, Janelle, whom he referred to as his heart and soul, his daughters Jayla and Lariana and his son, Larry III. The Jones family and the Cowboys extend their deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to Allen family and mourn along with many other friends and Cowboys teammates who also loved Larry," the Cowboys organization added.
The Cowboys said arrangements for a memorial service will be announced in the near future.
Who was Larry Allen?
Allen was a second-round pick out of Sonoma State in the 1994 NFL Draft, and quickly became one of the most dominant offensive linemen in NFL history.
He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and was inducted into the Canton, Ohio, Hall of Fame in the class of 2013.
He played for the Cowboys from 1994 to 2005, winning Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent his last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Allen overcame a challenging upbringing in Compton, California. He was once stabbed 12 times while protecting one of his brothers.
He attended four different high schools before attending Butte College. He later played at Sonoma State, where the Cowboys found the raw but talented Allen and took him with the 46th overall pick.
With Dallas, he was the quarterback protector from Troy Aikman to Tony Romo, and once moved from guard to tackle.
Allen played right tackle, right guard and left tackle, but primarily played left guard and was a seven-time first-team All-Pro. He was named to the All-Decade team of the 2000s.
His strength feats in the Cowboys' weight room were legendary; he once bench-pressed up to 700 pounds.
His speed for his enormous size surprised many, even chasing down New Orleans Saints linebacker Darien Conner on an interception return in 1994.