Larry Allen, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, has passed away at the age of 52.
Allen, affectionately known as LA, suddenly died on Sunday, June 2, while vacationing with his family in Mexico, according to the Dallas Cowboys. The team issued a statement on Monday, June 3, expressing their condolences for the loss of one of the most decorated linemen in NFL history.
“Larry, known for his remarkable athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected and accomplished offensive linemen in the NFL,
” the statement read. “His versatility and reliability were key aspects of his career. He continued to inspire many players, defining what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor, and winner.
“He was deeply loved and cherished by his wife, Janelle—whom he called his heart and soul—his daughters, Jayla and Loriana, and his son, Larry III.
The Jones family and the Cowboys offer their deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Allen family and mourn alongside the many friends and teammates who also loved Larry.”
Dallas also mentioned that details about a memorial service for Larry Allen will be announced at a later date.
Legendary Cowboys Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith both expressed their sorrow on social media, sending love to their “brother.” Both played alongside Allen on the Cowboys and won Super Bowl XXX together.
Aikman shared his message on X/Twitter, writing, “Just received the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved teammate Larry Allen.
He was a Hall of Fame offensive lineman who dominated opponents regardless of the position he played. Off the field, he was a gentle giant who loved his family. Rest in Peace LA.”
Smith posted his emotional tribute on Instagram, with tears in his eyes. He reflected on the good times spent with the “best lineman” he ever played with. “I got a call from my daughter, Skylar, who told me that he had passed away.
I’m at a loss for words right now. Such a good dude. Great player. Super person. With deaths, bad weather, and all kinds of things swirling around, the loss of my folks and other friends, it just breaks my heart.
I know life is very fragile, and we’re only here for a moment. We need to make the best of every moment and not take people for granted.”
“The one thing I know about Larry Allen is that he had a big heart and lived life to the fullest. A man of very few words, but on the football field, he was a beast.
He’ll be sorely missed; he’s always missed because he rarely attended our functions. I don’t know if it’s because he put football behind him and moved on, but my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My heart is just broken.”
Larry Allen was selected in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft from Sonoma State. Despite coming from a lesser-known college football program, Allen quickly made a name for himself with the Cowboys.
He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and was inducted into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
