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Watch: One play that epitomizes the athleticism of the late Larry Allen
Dallas Cowboys former guard Larry Allen. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: One play that epitomizes the athleticism of the late Larry Allen

On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys announced Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen died suddenly at 52 while vacationing with his family in Mexico on Sunday. He was considered one of the most athletic O-linemen in league history.

Allen's exceptional athleticism was evident in a "Monday Night Football" game against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 19, 1994. After Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman threw an interception, Allen — listed at 6-foot-3, 325 pounds — chased down Saints linebacker Darion Conner, preventing a pick-six. 

"This guy has got a rocket booster strapped to his back," HOFer and longtime broadcaster Dan Dierdorf said during the telecast.

Along with impressive speed, Allen had remarkable strength. On his X account, Cowboys staff writer Nick Harris shared an old clip of Allen bench-pressing 700 pounds.

Allen — a second-round pick out of Sonoma State in 1994 — played for Dallas for 12 seasons, making 10 Pro Bowls and helping the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX. He spent his final two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, earning one more Pro Bowl nod.

Allen was also named to the all-decade teams in the 1990s and 2000s. Per ESPN Stats and Information, Allen and fellow HOFers Willie Roaf and Warren Sapp are the only players to be named to both teams.

"Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL," the Cowboys said in a statement. "Through that, he continued to serve as inspiration for many other players, defining what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor and winner."

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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