Dallas Cowboys NFL Hall of Famer Larry Allen dies unexpectedly at 52

Former Dallas Cowboys Guard Larry Allen died unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 52, while on vacation with his family, according to the NFL.

Allen played for the Cowboys as both a guard and tackle for 12 seasons, according to NBC News. He also played two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, starting in 2006, ESPN reported. He was inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2013. Among his achievements was winning the Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.

The cause of Allen's death has not been released so far, but it occurred on a family vacation in Mexico.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his team mourned Allen's death in a statement on Monday, referring to the professional footballer as one of the "most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL."

"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," the team said in a post to X.

Allen's former teammate and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman also mourned Allen's death in a post to X. Allen and Aikman were both part of the 1996 Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.

"He was a HOF (Hall of Fame) offensive lineman that dominated opponents regardless of the position played. Off the field, he was a gentle giant that loved his family," Aikman wrote in a post on X.

The NFL also confirmed Allen's death in a post to social media, expressing their sorrow at the loss of the former hall of famer. 

"The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champion and Cowboys legend, Larry Allen," the statement read.

He is survived by his wife Janelle, and three children: Jayla, Loriana, and Larry III.