Dallas Cowboys Legend Larry Allen Suddenly Dead at 52; Best Athlete of All Time?

Conversations about who the best athlete of all time is frequently riddled with NFL players, some of which are from the era of recently deceased Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen.

Players like Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson are often mentioned due to their freakish athletic abilities that translate across multiple sports. Allen is a name that is also never mentioned in the conversation, but there is a legitimate argument to be made that no one else in the world could do what he could with his size and strength.

Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen was incredibly fast for his size

At a staggering 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen commanded a presence on the field with his size. While some players may have been taller and others may have weighed more, Allen’s athleticism at his size was something that couldn’t be avoided when watching one of his teams play.

At his remarkable size, Allen was incredibly fast. According to an article from the Los Angeles Times, Allen ran a 4.8-second 40-yard dash. For reference, the bottom-of-the-pack receivers and running backs at the NFL combine are typically right around that 4.8-second 40-yard dash mark.

The number doesn’t do the incredible speed justice, but watching him chase down a linebacker that he probably has 100 pounds on shows just how insane Allen was athletically.

A 325-pound lineman making a chase-down tackle to prevent a pick-six?

Happy birthday to one of the best athletes in NFL history, @larryallen73!@dallascowboys @ProFootballHOF @NFLLegends pic.twitter.com/DwAEDqTInP

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) November 28, 2018

On top of being incredibly fast, Allen was allegedly able to dunk. Sonoma State assistant coach Frank Scalercio described the athletic feat from Allen in the same Los Angeles Times article.

“I was bragging about this kid for months, and would always include the fact he could dunk,” Scalercio told Star magazine. “So here we were, the basketball team is in the gym, a few football players, just all watching him. And he throws down this two-handed slam like none of us had ever seen. The ball was just bouncing on the floor for like 10 seconds and no one said a word. I have never heard silence like that in my life.”

Agility and speed are often top considerations when discussing who some of the best athletes of all time are. Allen had high-level agility and speed while being one of the biggest, strongest and most intimidating guys in sports.

All NFL offensive linemen are strong, but Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen was on another level

Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen’s feats of strength made him a mythical Paul Bunyan-like figure in the NFL. While mysticism grew about what Allen could do, there was no question about what he could do to other grown men on a weekly basis.

Allen, late in his career, bench pressed 700 pounds with what seemed like ease despite the fact that Allen notoriously didn’t even like lifting.

Here is Larry Allen bench pressing 700 pounds. It’s a moment that is still talked about in the halls of the Dallas Cowboys.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/nuTidXD0TY

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) June 3, 2024

Allen also famously bench-pressed 225 pounds a staggering 43 times during a lighthearted Pro Bowl competition. A mark that has only been achieved a handful of times by players at the NFL combine, who train for months and are attempting to prove themselves to NFL teams. Allen, in a jersey with jewelry on, did so in a competition for which he likely didn’t train or care.

Larry Allen lifting 225 pounds 43 times pic.twitter.com/P56W6bQQZq

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 3, 2024

Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen’s strength translated to the field

Dallas Cowboys legend Larry Allen was not someone who was only strong in the weight room. His strength translated to the field as he helped legendary running back Emmitt Smith become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

Allen was known for bullying grown men on the field, so much so that New York Giants legend Michael Strahan explained in the previously mentioned Los Angeles Times article that players would avoid playing against Allen.

“Players will watch him on film during the week and then pull up with some mysterious injury or flu or something,” New York Giants All-Pro defensive end Michael Strahan said. “We call that catching ‘Allen-itis.’ ”

A highlight reel for an offensive lineman is already rare enough in and of itself, but there are countless highlights of Allen making professional football players look like rag dolls.

John Madden laughing while talking about Larry Allen will always be one of my favorite clips 😂#RIP 🐐 pic.twitter.com/i59KLNUZUB

— WeAreBigGuys (@WeAreBigGuys) June 3, 2024

Larry Allen is what it would look like if a wall could run. These are highlights from one offensive drive.

RIP Larry Allen pic.twitter.com/GKTjG3i1yo

— In My Mind (@MeAloneInMyMind) June 3, 2024

John Madden gushing about a Larry Allen pancake block. The soundtrack of ’90s #Cowboys football on @NFLonFOX, even if you were rooting for the pancakee. RIP Larry Allen. pic.twitter.com/ibmZxzEl9x

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 3, 2024

.@dallascowboys @49ers there will never; never ever, be another Larry Allen. Lots of us with heavy hearts today honoring one of the greatest to have ever done it. And with a big smile. RIP LA. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/rlOTyohc40

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 3, 2024

While Allen may not have the speed and agility of those who are often mentioned in conversations for the greatest athletes of all time, none of them were nearly as strong as he was nor did they have the size he did. When it’s all put together, there is a strong case that Larry Allen is one of the best athletes in the history of modern sports.

Get More NFL and College Football Content

For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.