Larry Allen, Cowboys legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 52

A legendary offensive lineman has passed.

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Monday that Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 52. He was on vacation in Mexico with his family at the time.

Allen’s career resume is loaded with accolades. Eleven Pro Bowls. Six All-Pro selections. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s all-decade teams for the 1990s and the 2000s. And finally, a first-ballot selection for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013).

“The Cowboys issued a statement on Monday honoring Larry, an esteemed and successful offensive lineman in the NFL, recognized for his exceptional athleticism and strength. They highlighted his versatility and reliability as key aspects of his career, and noted his continual role as an inspiration for many other players. Larry set the bar for being an excellent teammate, competitor, and victor,” the statement read.

Larry was profoundly cherished and nurtured by his wife, Janelle, who he fondly referred to as his heart and soul, as well as his daughters, Jayla and Loriana, and son, Larry III. The Jones family and the Cowboys share their deepest sympathies with the Allen family, expressing their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. They join the multitude of friends and Cowboys teammates in mourning the loss of a beloved individual, Larry.

Allen was among the most notably unique athletes to have played offensive line in football history. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 335 pounds, most would logically assume that his primary contributions as a blocker would be his massive size and brute strength, with little else to offer.

That couldn’t be further from the truth for Allen, who matched his Herculean strength with incredible swiftness. Simply, Allen could get out and run, executing short and long pulls with precision and frightening power to clear lanes for Cowboys runners, including fellow Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. Allen’s rare blend of physical skills turned the typically mundane nature of offensive line play into a thrilling viewing experience, so much that folks still queue Allen’s highlight tape just to bask in the beauty of it.

Regardless of whether he was playing as a guard or tackle, Allen delivered a premier performance, establishing himself as an ironman no matter his position on the field. Over a span of 14 years, Allen proved to be an impenetrable wall against the league’s top defensive linemen in pass protection, instilling fear in those unlucky enough to cross his path.

From 1996-2001, Allen earned six consecutive first-team All-Pro selections. One of these honors came after he switched from an interior position to the outside, where he protected Troy Aikman’s blindside at the left tackle position in 1998.

Allen joined an exclusive club as one of only three Cowboys to receive double-digit Pro Bowl selections. He concluded his career in San Francisco, starting 27 out of a potential 32 games for the 49ers, and earned one more Pro Bowl selection before retiring.

“Larry Allen was an exceptional athlete in the National Football League, possessing a unique combination of size, brute strength, speed, and agility,” said Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in a statement. “His abilities as an offensive lineman often surpassed understanding and reasoning. Over a span of six seasons, he was named All-Pro every year, with one of these seasons seeing him step up to the role of a tackle for the Cowboys. He was known for his ability to break the spirit of his opponents, many of whom would quit midgame or not even suit up rather than confront him. However, this fierceness was limited to his on-field persona. Off the field, he was known to be a quiet and gentle giant. We send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Janelle, daughters Jayla and Loriana, and son Larry III.”

Allen’s menacing and ruthlessly effective performance on the field was matched by the love he received from those who knew him off it. Upon learning of the loss of his former teammate, Aikman expressed his sorrow on social media on Monday.

Aikman shared the devastating news of the death of our cherished teammate, Larry Allen. He stated, “Allen was a Hall of Fame offensive lineman who overpowered opponents irrespective of their position. Outside the game, he was a tender-hearted giant who adored his family. Rest in Peace, LA.”