Remembering Larry Allen: 'The perfect combination of brute strength, agility, poise and violence'

Cowboys legend Larry Allen has died at the age of 52. As a first-ballot Hall of Famer, he’s considered one of the best offensive linemen to ever play the game. How will he be remembered?

In 2023, a panel of ESPN writers attempted to name a G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) for every NFL position. 

Matt Miller put it best:

"No offensive lineman better encapsulates the 1990s than Allen, and no offensive guard better highlights what elite play at the position means than the 11-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro. Allen was the perfect combination of brute strength, agility, poise and violence at the point of attack. He's the prototype by which I evaluate offensive guard play."

Current left tackle Tyler Smith knew Allen well and spoke of Allen’s toughness on the team’s website just a week ago.

"He almost died of meningitis when he was a kid," Smith said. "He's very tough, just a dawg. I've seen the tape, extremely athletic and famous for the chase-down tackle against the Saints. One of the best pulling guards to maybe ever play in the NFL."

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo grew up in Philadelphia fan, but even he had praise for Allen on this play against his beloved Eagles (as described by John Madden):