Cowboys Legend Larry Allen Dies at 52; Hall of Famer Won Super Bowl 30 with Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys announced Monday that Hall of Fame offensive guard Larry Allen died at the age of 52.

"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 team said. "His versatility and dependability were also signature parts of his career. Through that, he continued to serve as inspiration for many other players defining what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor and winner."

Cowboys star Micah Parsons and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman tmourned Allen's death:

Allen is widely regarded as one of the best blockers from his era. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler in 14 seasons and received six straight first-team All-Pro nods from 1996-2001. The Pro Football Hall of Fame named him to its All-Decade team for the 1990s and the 2000s, and he made the cut when the NFL honored its 100 best players of all time to coincide with its 100th anniversary.

It's not a total coincidence that Emmitt Smith went on to be the NFL's all-time leading rusher. His best years came before Allen entered the league, but his longevity is owed in part to the running lanes Allen helped to open in their nine years together.

Allen is one of the rare offensive linemen who compiled a must-watch highlight reel. He was surprisingly agile given his 6'3", 335-pound frame, and there were few things scarier for a defender than seeing him pulling in your direction.

Allen, who was in his second season when the Cowboys last won a Super Bowl in 1995, spent his first 12 years in Dallas before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. He retired from the NFL in 2008.

Hall of Fame enshrinement beckoned in 2013.