Larry Allen

Larry Allen began his college football career at Butte Junior College in Oroville, Calif., before transferring to Sonoma State, a Division II school near San Francisco. He quickly developed a reputation as a dominant lineman, and his stock rose among NFL scouts. The Dallas Cowboys used their second round pick, 46th player overall, in 1994 on Allen. He proved his worth by providing versatility for the Cowboys as he played every position on the offensive line, except center, during his 12 seasons in Dallas before playing two final years with the San Francisco 49ers (2006-07).

At 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, Allen possessed great athleticism to complement his size and incredible strength. He started 10 games in his rookie season and split time between guard and tackle. In his second season, he was placed at right guard and helped pave the way for Emmitt Smith, who set a Cowboys single-season record with 1,773 yards rushing as Dallas finished fifth in total offense. Allen’s contribution was recognized, as he was named All-Pro for the first of seven consecutive seasons (six times first-team AP All-Pro) and was named to the Pro Bowl for the first of 11 times in his career.

Allen continued to shift between guard and tackle and continued to earn All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl nods. He finished the 1997 campaign and played all of 1998 as the Cowboys' left tackle. His job of protecting Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman’s blindside earned Allen All-Pro recognition and a Pro Bowl nod as a tackle in ‘98.

Allen is among the rare group of players who have been named to multiple NFL All-Decade Teams (1990s and 2000s). A veteran of 203 career games, he played in two NFC Championship Games and was the starting right guard in the Cowboys' 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.

He was named the NFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni in 1997 and by the NFL Players Association as the NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1996 and 1997.

Rare combination of size, strength and speed, Larry Allen: 1971-2024

Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away June 2, 2024, at the age of 52. 

“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. What he could do as an offensive lineman often defied logic and comprehension,” said Hall of Fame President Jim Porter. “In a six-season span, he was named All-Pro every year, and one of those seasons came when the Cowboys needed him to step in at tackle.

“He could literally beat the will out of his opponents, with many quitting mid-game or not dressing at all rather than face him, but that was only on the field. Off it, he was a quiet, gentle giant.”

Read the full tribute article and watch a video honoring Allen here.