Larry Allen, one of the greatest players in the history of the Dallas Cowboys franchise has tragically passed away at the age of 52.
The Dallas Cowboys announced on X/Twitter that Allen “suddenly” passed away on Sunday while he was vacationing with family in Mexico. Allen and his wife, Janelle, had two daughters and a son together.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Cowboys Legend Larry Allen 💙 pic.twitter.com/l351PCkqdG
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 3, 2024
Allen was a key member of the Cowboys’ success during the mid’90s, helping them to a Super Bowl 30 championship in the 1995 season that cemented them as a dynasty. The 6-foot-3, 325-pound guard was a seven-time First-team All-Pro and an 11-time Pro Bowler in his Hall of Fame career.
Allen was a second-round pick (46th overall) by the Cowboys in the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Butte and Sonoma State before emerging as one of the greatest draft steals in the history of America’s Team.
“THIS GUY’S GOT A ROCKET BOOSTER STRAPPED TO HIS BACK.”
Larry Allen = 6’3” 325 lbs 😳 (Dec. 19, 1994) pic.twitter.com/1zenKtLRpI
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) April 9, 2020
The Dallas Cowboys icon was also named to the 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams, as well as the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 2011, Allen was added to the team’s Ring of Honor.
Allen played for Dallas from 1994 to 2005 before spending his final two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry Allen’s family and friends, as well as the Cowboys organization, during this devastating time.
Larry Allen Was Pivotal In Dallas Cowboys’ Dynastic Run
The Dallas Cowboys had won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992 and ’93, with both victories coming against the Buffalo Bills.
But with the Green Bay Packers emerging as an NFC power, and with the San Francisco 49ers in the midst of their own dynastic run, the Cowboys needed a couple of pieces to win that third Super Bowl.
Larry Allen proved to be the difference-maker in Dallas, adding that game-wrecking offensive lineman to block for Emmitt Smith while helping keep Troy Aikman upright. If not for Allen, the Cowboys might have never won a third Super Bowl in the ’90s, nor remain a consistent playoff contender in the back half of the decade.
Legendary Dallas Cowboys guard and Super Bowl winner Larry Allen has died suddenly at the age of 52 while on vacation with his family in Mexico.
Allen played in the NFL for 14 seasons after being drafted in 1994, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the San Francisco 49ers for the final two seasons of his career.
He played in Super Bowl XXX in 1996 – helping the Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Arizona.
Allen earned ten Pro Bowl selections during his career – the most of any offensive player in Cowboys history – and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Allen is survived by his wife, Janelle, daughters Jayla and Lariana and son, Larry III.
Legendary Dallas Cowboys guard and Super Bowl winner Larry Allen has died at the age of 52
Allen is survived by his wife, Janelle, daughters Jayla and Lariana and son, Larry III
The Dallas Cowboys said in a statement: ‘We are very saddened to share that Cowboys legend, Super Bowl Champion, Cowboys Ring of Honor member and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away suddenly while on vacation in Mexico with his family on Sunday.
‘Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL.
‘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 Lariana and son, Larry III.
‘The 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.
‘Memorial service arrangements and details will be announced in the near future.’
Allen (right) played in Super Bowl XXX as the Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17
Allen’s NFL career is even more remarkable when you consider his traumatic childhood
Allen’s impressive NFL career is even more remarkable when you consider his traumatic childhood.
Growing up in Compton, he contracted meningitis and almost died when he was just six weeks old.
Then, when he was nine, Allen was stabbed 12 times in the head and shoulder by a young neighbor while protecting his brother.
The former Sonoma State lineman once bench-pressed 700 pounds while dumbfounded teammates watched, then mobbed him.
Allen was regarded as one of the best and most physically dominant guards in the NFL
The Cowboys were coming off consecutive Super Bowl wins when they drafted Allen. He was surrounded by Pro Bowl offensive linemen but didn´t take long to get noticed, eventually making 11 Pro Bowls himself.
Late in his rookie season, Allen saved a touchdown by running down Darion Conner when it looked like the New Orleans linebacker only had Troy Aikman to beat down the sideline. Most of the rest of his career was defined by power – first as a tackle, where the Cowboys figured he would be a mainstay, and ultimately 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.’
After retiring, Allen retreated to a quiet life in Northern California with his wife and three kids.
