NFL Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away at the age of 52. Fans online mourned his sudden death as they recalled his 12-year professional career.
According to Related pressAllen is “one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the NFL,” most notably as a player with the Dallas Cowboys.
The team revealed that Larry Allen suddenly passed away on Sunday (June 2) during a family vacation in Mexico.
“Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most successful, respected offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL,” The Dallas Cowboys said in their statement on Monday (June 3). “His versatility and reliability have also been a defining part of his career. Through it all, he continues to be an inspiration to many other players, defining what it means to be a great teammate, competitor and winner.”
Larry leaves behind his wife, Janelle, and three children, including two daughters, Jayla and Loriana, and son, Larry III.
The cause of his death is unknown at this time.
See the Cowboys’ full statement on Larry’s passing below.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Cowboys Legend Larry Allen 💙 pic.twitter.com/l351PCkqdG
– Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 3, 2024
Here’s a look at Larry Allen’s historic career
AP reported that Allen was a man of few words but his blocking ability throughout his career was strong!
“[Larry] never said anything,” Nate Newton, one of Allen’s mentors on Dallas’ offensive line, previously said in an AP story 11 years ago. “Every once in a while, you’ll hear him utter curse words or hear him laugh in that old funny laugh.”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted him as a six-time All-Pro in 2013. He retired in 2009 but began his career with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 after they drafted him in the second round.
The Cowboys pulled off back-to-back Super Bowl wins when they drafted Allen. He was surrounded by Pro Bowl offensive linemen but it didn’t take long to get noticed, eventually making 11 Pro Bowls himself.
Much of the rest of his career was defined by power — first as a tackle, where the Cowboys figured he would be a mainstay, and eventually as a guard.
Fun fact about Allen: once, he reportedly bench-pressed 700 pounds while his teammates looked on in amazement.
Allen spent his final two seasons in the NFL closer to home with the San Francisco 49ers. After that, true to his footballer’s personality, Allen retired to a quiet life in Northern California with his wife and three children.
Rest in peace, Larry!
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Associated Press reporter Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report.
