Larry Allen, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman who starred for the Dallas Cowboys, died suddenly on Sunday. He was 52 years old.
The franchise announced Allen’s death on Monday, saying he passed away while on vacation with his family in Mexico.
Allen spent 14 years in the NFL, including the first 12 with the Cowboys, before retiring after the 2007 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and selected All-Pro seven times.
“Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL,” the Cowboys said in part of a statement on Monday. “His versatility and dependability were also signature parts of his career. Through that, he continued to serve as inspiration for many other players defining what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor and winner.
“He was deeply loved and cared for by his wife, Janelle – whom he referred to as his heart and soul, his daughters Jayla and Loriana and son, Larry III.
“The (team owner Jerry) Jones family and the Cowboys extend their deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Allen family and grieve along with the many other friends and Cowboys teammates that also loved Larry.”
Allen, a California native, played at Butte Junior College and then Division II Sonoma State before being picked by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. He played both tackle and guard spots on a dominant offensive line in front of star running back Emmitt Smith and quarterback Troy Aikman while winning a Super Bowl to cap the 1995 season. Allen spent the final two seasons of his career with the 49ers.
A member of NFL All-Decade Teams for the 1990s and 2000s, Allen made 197 starts in 203 career games and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
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