Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell paid an emotional tribute to his former teammate Larry Allen following the latter’s shocking death on Monday.
The Hall of Fame lineman’s family reported that Allen died ‘suddenly’ on Sunday while on vacation in Mexico. He was 52.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Campbell, who played with Allen for three seasons, honored his life and expressed his condolences towards his late teammates’ family.
‘Larry was a teammate of mine for three years at Dallas,’ Campbell said. ‘Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.’
‘Anybody who was around Larry will tell you what an unbelievable dude he was. What an unbelievable human being, an unbelievable teammate. And then his play on the field speaks for itself – he was a rare, rare player.’
Allen spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Cowboys after getting drafted in 1994. Campbell would arrive in Dallas in 2003. and both left the organization in 2005.
Allen would head to San Francisco, where he played for two years. On the other hand, Campbell had short stints with the Lions and Saints before starting his coaching career.
The late Allen left his mark by playing every offensive-line position except center. He played as a right tackle in 1994, right guard from 1995-1997, left tackle in 1998, and left guard from 1999-2007.
In his second year in the NFL, Allen opened up his legendary career by winning the Super Bowl in 1995.
Dan Campbell gave a beautiful tribute to his former teammate, Larry Allen. ❤️🕊️
(via @Lions) pic.twitter.com/EPklMQixC0
— NFL (@NFL) June 4, 2024
He would make six first-team and a second-team All-Pro selection before hanging his cleats up.
Additionally, Allen made 11 Pro Bowl appearances and was named on the NFL 1990s All-Decade team, 2000s All-Decade team, and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time team. He was also a recipient of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
‘I just can’t believe it,’ Campbell continued. ‘I’m really thinking about his family. But what an outstanding human being LA was.’
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