Larry Allen, a legendary offensive lineman in the NFL and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, died suddenly on June 3, 2024, while on vacation with his family in Mexico. He was 52 years old.
Allen's impressive football career began when he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as a second-round pick out of Sonoma State in 1994. Over the next 12 seasons, Allen became one of the most dominant offensive linemen in NFL history. He earned seven consecutive first-team All-Pro selections from 1995 to 2001 and eleven Pro Bowl honors from 1995 to 2006 and in 2003 to 2006.
Allen's strength was legendary, with reports of him bench-pressing over 700 pounds during an offseason workout. He anchored the front that paved the way for running back Frank Gore's franchise-record rushing yards with the San Francisco 49ers in his first year with the team.
Allen was a versatile player, moving from guard to tackle in his career and earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors at both positions. He eventually moved back to guard, where he is considered one of the greatest to ever play the position.
Allen's dominance on the field earned him a spot on the NFL All-Decade team in both the 1990s and 2000s. After spending his final two NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Allen signed a one-day contract to retire with the Cowboys in 2009. Four years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot inductee.
Allen is survived by his wife, Janelle; daughters Jayla and Loriana; and son, Larry III.
The Dallas Cowboys released a statement on Allen's death:
