Larry Allen

Larry Allen began his college football career at Butte Junior College in Oroville, Calif. before transferring to Sonoma State, a Division II school near San Francisco. He quickly developed a reputation as a dominant lineman and his stock rose among NFL scouts. The Dallas Cowboys used their second round pick, 46th player overall, in 1994 on Allen. He proved his worth by providing versatility for the Cowboys as he played every position on the offensive line but center during his 12 seasons in Dallas before playing two final years with the San Francisco 49ers (2006-07).

At 6’3”, 325 pounds, Allen possessed great athleticism to complement his size and incredible strength. He started 10 games in his rookie season and split time between guard and tackle. In his second season, he was placed in the right guard spot and helped pave the way for Emmitt Smith who set a Cowboys single-season record with 1,773 yards rushing as Dallas finished fifth in total offense. Allen’s contribution was recognized as he was named All-Pro for the first of seven consecutive seasons and named to the Pro Bowl for the first of 11 times in his career.

Allen continued to shift between guard and tackle and continued to earn All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl nods as a guard. He finished the 1997 campaign and played all of 1998 as the Cowboys left tackle. His job of protecting Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman’s blindside earned Allen All-Pro recognition and a Pro Bowl nod as a tackle in ‘98.

Allen is among the rare group of players who have been named to multiple NFL All-Decade Teams (1990s and 2000s). A veteran of 203 career games, he played in two NFC championship games and was the starting right guard in the Cowboys 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.

He was named the NFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni in 1997 and by the NFL Players Association as the NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1996 and 1997.