HOFer, longtime Cowboy Larry Allen dies at 52

Larry Allen, one of the NFL’s most dominant offensive linemen during his 12-year career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, has passed away at 52. The Cowboys announced that Allen died suddenly on Sunday while vacationing with his family in Mexico.

Allen, a six-time All-Pro and a 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, was known for letting his blocking speak volumes.

“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 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.”

Drafted in the second round by the Cowboys in 1994 from Sonoma State, Allen joined the team a year before their fifth Super Bowl title. His physical prowess was legendary; he once bench-pressed 700 pounds to the astonishment of his teammates.

Allen’s peers, including the famously outspoken John Randle of the Minnesota Vikings, respected him enough to avoid provoking him during games.

“He never said nothin’,” Nate Newton, Allen’s mentor on the Cowboys’ offensive line, told The Associated Press for its Hall of Fame story on Allen 11 years ago. “Every now and then you’d hear him utter a cuss word or hear him laugh that old funny laugh he had.”

Allen’s Hall of Fame induction came a year after his mother’s passing, a significant loss for him as she had been a source of support throughout his career.

“I miss her,” Allen said before his Hall of Fame induction. “Whenever I’d get nervous or had a big game and got nervous, I’d give her a call, and she’d start making me laugh.”

The Cowboys were coming off consecutive Super Bowl victories when they drafted Allen. Surrounded by Pro Bowl offensive linemen, he quickly made a name for himself, earning 11 Pro Bowl selections.

Late in his rookie season, Allen famously prevented a touchdown by chasing down New Orleans linebacker Darion Conner, showcasing his exceptional speed and agility. His career was marked by his power, initially playing as a tackle before excelling as a guard.

“The National Football League is filled with gifted athletes, but only a rare few have combined the size, brute strength, speed, and agility of Larry Allen,” the Hall of Fame said in a statement. “What he could do as an offensive lineman often defied logic and comprehension.”

Allen spent his final two NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, closer to his Northern California home. After retiring, he lived a quiet life with his wife and three children.

“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 Cowboys said.

Allen’s journey to the NFL began at Butte College, where he was discovered by Frank Scalercio, his future coach at Sonoma State. Scalercio was initially scouting another player when Allen’s on-field dominance caught his eye.

“I kinda forgot about the guy I was actually recruiting,” Scalercio said.

Due to academic challenges, Allen attended Division II Sonoma State instead of a Division I school. His intimidating presence on the field often caused opponents to quit midgame or avoid facing him altogether.

In retirement, Allen remained connected to his roots, attending Sonoma State basketball games and engaging with fans.

“He’s even bigger now than he ever was on campus,” Tim Burrell, a friend of Allen’s, said in 2013. “Everybody loves him.”