Cowboys legendary Larry Allen passes away at 52.

Nick Eatman

03/06/2024
FRISCO Texas FRISCO, Texas Larry Allen, arguably one of the most outstanding players of the history of the Cowboys and, perhaps, the most outstanding offensive linemen in NFL history, passed away too quickly.

Allen died on Sunday, at the age of two years and 52. Allen was on vacation at Mexico with his family when he died.

Inducted as a Hall of Famer in the year 2013, Allen was a member of the All-Decade team throughout the 1990s and in the 2000s. From 1994 to 2007 Allen played for 14 games in the NFL and the initial 12 seasons as a member of the Cowboys.

Allen is one of only three Cowboys who have had at least double-digit Pro Bowl selections. Allen played in 10 Pro Bowls as well as seven All-Pro selections while with the Cowboys. Allen completed his time with the 49ers and was awarded an 11 13th Pro Bowl in 2006.

The Cowboys issued a statement Monday morning regarding Allen’s death:

The Dallas Cowboys are very saddened to announce their loss. Cowboys Legend, Super Bowl Champion, Cowboys Ring of Honor member the Pro Football Hall Of Hall of Fame recipient Larry Allen passed away suddenly during a trip to Mexico and his loved ones on Sunday. Larry was well-known for his incredible athleticism and strength was one of the most revered, successful offensive linemen ever to play within the NFL. His flexibility and reliability were also key elements of his professional career. He was a source of the model for other players who defined what it was to be a good player, teammate, and competitor.

The deceased was greatly loved and taken care of by his wife Janelle whom he called his soul and heart and the children Jayla as well as Loriana and son Larry III.

Jones family, as well as Cowboys offer their sincere prayers, condolences and thoughts towards the Allen family. We grieve with many other friends and Cowboys teammates who also adored Larry.

Memorial Service arrangements and details will be revealed in the near future.

In the first round of 1994’s NFL Draft out of Sonoma State in California, Allen quickly showed the world his incredible combination of strength and size. But it was a different characteristic – speed which probably put Allen on the NFL map very early. On an NFL game on a Monday Night Football game in New Orleans in his rookie season back in 1994 Allen ran after Saints linebacker Darion Conner following an interception and slamming Conner from behind to prevent one point. The MNF announcers Frank Gifford, Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf were blown away by Allen’s speed and agility for his size.

However, for most of it Allen’s physical strength which stood out most. He was known for bench-pressing more than 700 pounds in an offseason during the in the 2000s Allen beat his rivals due to his strength and power.

Additionally, he was quite versatile, and showed that at the start of his career, when he changed between guard and tackle. In the wake of 3 Pro Bowl selections from 1995-97 at guard, Allen moved to tackle during the 1998 season. He was also awarded Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors the following year. He later returned to guard, and could be considered one of the greatest players ever to be a guard.

Allen was among seven guards who made The NFL’s Top 100 players list that was released in the year 2019.