Sonoma State Mourns Alum Larry Allen, Dallas Cowboy NFL Hall Of Famer

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — One of Sonoma State University's most celebrated athletes, offensive lineman Larry Allen, who went on to become a Dallas Cowboys great, died Sunday. He was 52.

He was vacationing in Mexico with his family when he died, according to the Dallas Cowboys. No cause of death has been given.

"Allen, arguably one of the greatest players in the history of the Cowboys and perhaps the best offensive linemen in the NFL history, has passed away far too soon," the Cowboys said.

At Sonoma State, Allen was the first student-athlete in the history of SSU football to be drafted into the National Football League when he was picked by the Cowboys in 1994. Allen earned a Super Bowl ring during his years playing for the Cowboys, from 1994 to 2005.

Allen was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times during his NFL career. Although he spent his final two seasons back in the Bay Area playing for the San Francisco 49ers, he officially retired from the Cowboys. His name is enshrined in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor at AT&T (formerly Cowboys) Stadium.

In 2013, Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2019, Allen was named to the NFL's top-100 list, which ranked the best players in league history.

During the two seasons— 1992-1993 — Allen played for Sonoma State, he was twice named All-American. He also was named the Northern California Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 1993 — the year he gave up only one sack and was part of an offense that established 10 new school records under then-head coach Frank Scalercio.

"My heart is heavy with the loss of SSU Cossack and Dallas Cowboy great, Larry Allen," Scalercio said Monday in a statement from the university. "Larry will always hold a special place in the hearts of our community and my family. He will forever be one of the most respected players, teammates and men in college football and the NFL. I will miss his big smile and hugs."

Allen was inducted into the Sonoma State Athletics Hall of Fame and the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame.

"It was a great opportunity for me to showcase my talents," Allen once said about playing for a DII team versus Division 1. "I had a great head coach [Scalercio] my senior season, who also coached the offensive line. SSU was a great school."

According to the Cowboys, Allen went on to become a member of the All-Decade team both in the 1990s and 2000s. From 1994 to 2007, Allen played 14 seasons in the NFL, including the first 12 with the Cowboys.

"Drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Sonoma State in California, Allen quickly showed the world his awesome combination of size and strength. However, it was another trait — speed — that probably got him on the NFL map early on," the Cowboys said. "During a Monday Night Football game in New Orleans during his rookie year in 1994, Allen chased down Saints linebacker Darion Conner after an interception, tackling him from behind to save a touchdown. The MNF announcers of Frank Gifford, Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf were blown away in amazement of Allen's speed and quickness for his size."

The Cowboys released this statement Monday morning on Allen's death:

"The Dallas Cowboys are very saddened to share that Cowboys legend, Super Bowl Champion, Cowboys Ring of Honor member, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away suddenly while on vacation in Mexico with his family on Sunday. Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. 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. He was deeply loved and cared for by his wife, Janelle – whom he referred to as his heart and soul, his daughters Jayla and Loriana and son, Larry III. The Jones family and the Cowboys extend their deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Allen family and grieve along with the many other friends and Cowboys teammates that also loved Larry. Memorial service arrangements and details will be announced in the near future."