Larry Allen, a bruising offensive lineman who protected quarterback Troy Aikman and blocked for Emmitt Smith during a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys, died June 2 at 52.
His death was announced in a statement by the Cowboys, which said he died while “vacationing in Mexico with his family” but did not share additional details.
Mr. Allen, a second-round draft choice who played 12 of his 14 NFL seasons for Dallas, was among the league’s most dominant offensive linemen, combining speed and athleticism while knocking back defenders with his 6-foot-3, 335-pound frame. He was selected to 11 Pro Bowls, was a first-team all-pro for six straight years and served as a linchpin of the offense when the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX in 1996, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17.
Along with Mr. Allen, that Cowboys team featured three other future Pro Football Hall of Famers on offense, with Aikman handing off to Smith or throwing to wide receiver Michael Irvin.
Mr. Allen finished his playing career in San Francisco, playing two seasons with the 49ers before retiring in 2008, when he signed a one-day contract with Dallas so that he could officially go out as a Cowboy. He was elected a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2013.
“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,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “What he could do as an offensive lineman often defied logic and comprehension.”
“He could literally beat the will out of his opponents, with many quitting midgame or not dressing at all rather than face him, but that was only on the field,” Porter added. “Off it, he was a quiet, gentle giant.”
A complete obituary will be published soon.
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