Allen donates artifacts

{GALLERY}When Class of 2013 enshrinee Larry Allen visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame in April to prepare for his enshrinement, he made a special request. The former guard wanted a guided tour through the entire museum. He received an insider’s look at the rich history of professional football and the vast number of artifacts that are part of the Hall of Fame’s collection.

So inspired was Allen that he donated a significant part of his own history to the Hall of Fame. Included in the shipment was the helmet he wore while he was a two-time All-American at Sonoma State; jersey and shoulder pads used during his rookie season in 1994; a watch he received from participating in the 2001 Pro Bowl; and a trophy awarded to him by the National Football League in honor of his eighth Pro Bowl selection in 2004.

One other artifact in the donation was the game ball given to him by the Cowboys for his role in the team’s 32-13 victory over the archrival Washington Redskins on Dec. 10, 2000. In that game, Allen led an offensive line that paved the way for running back Emmitt Smith and others to gain 242 rushing yards against the NFL’s fourth ranked defense. The rushing yardage was the most by the Cowboys since 1993.

Allen, along with Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp, will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 3.