Larry Allen, a Hall of Fame lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, has passed away at the age of 52. Known affectionately as LA, Allen died suddenly 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 and mourning the loss of one of the NFL’s most decorated linemen.
“Larry, renowned for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected and accomplished offensive linemen in NFL history,” the team’s statement read. “His versatility and dependability were hallmarks of his career. He continued to inspire many players, exemplifying what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor, and winner.
“He was deeply loved 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 extend their deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Allen family, grieving alongside the many friends and teammates who also loved Larry.”
Legendary Cowboys Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith reacted to the news on social media, sending love to their “brother.” Both played with Allen on the Cowboys and won Super Bowl XXX together. Aikman shared on X/Twitter, “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 at any position. Off the field, he was a gentle giant who loved his family. Rest in Peace, LA.”
Smith posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, reflecting on the good times with the “best lineman” he ever played with. “I got a call from my daughter, Skylar, telling me he passed away. I’m at a loss for words. Such a good dude. Great player. Super person. With deaths, bad weather, and other challenges, it breaks my heart. Life is very fragile, and we need to make the best of every moment and not take people for granted.”
“The one thing I know about Larry Allen: he had a big heart and lived life to the fullest. A man of few words, but a beast on the football field. He’ll be sorely missed; he was always missed at our functions. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My heart is broken.”
Selected in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft from Sonoma State, Allen made a significant impact during his time with the Cowboys, despite coming from a lesser-known school. He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and was inducted into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
