RIP Larry Allen

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

Age is never kind to massive people like him. Phil Jackson, who is 6-8, said so much about his own health issues.

I didn't realize Allen was already 52.

I was thinking the same thing. Probably less likely CTE than just the wear and tear of being such a big man, even if he was able to take care of himself and shed weight in retirement (I don't know if he did one way or the other). RIP.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

He wasn't massive though, at least not in height. I don't think Larry Allen was legitimate 6-foot-3. Now I don't know his weight situation. Many linemen tend to either drop a lot of weight post-playing because they don't need to eat as much to maintain or gain a lot ot weight post playing because they continue to eat the same amount without the incredibly strenuous physical work they did as a football player. Not sure which way he went.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

I hate Dallas as much as the next guy, but have to give Allen his due. When John Madden sings your praises for two straight minutes, that's saying something.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

I hate Dallas as much as the next guy, but have to give Allen his due. When John Madden sings your praises for two straight minutes, that's saying something.

And that isn't just any DE, it was Cornelius Bennett, a 1990s All-Decade honoree, two-time AFC DPOY and Hall of "Very Damn Good" player.

 

[DanOregon]

Couldn't play D1 because he didn't graduate high school, a year at Butte JC then two years at Sonoma State, a DII school. I don't know how many DII players are HoFers, but I'm sure they could fit in a room - until Allen walks in.

 

[playthrough]

I thought of Larry Allen as the the line of demarcation between the old-school offensive lineman and what would be the the modern day offensive lineman. Those guys from the 60s, 70s, 80s and into the 90s were these extremely tough men that generally had freakish raw strength that really couldn't be judged by bench pressing. They had the strength to move human weight that was uneven and fought back that either came genetically or threw real labor and determination. Allen had both that sort of old "grown man" or "country-style" strength AND he was ridiculously strong in the weight room that we judge modern-day strength by. I think he benched over 680 pounds or something like that, which is mind boggling.

Top 5 OL of all trime I'd say and top five guy I'd want having my back if I had to walk down a dark alley in the wrong part of town.

I read 700 pounds in one obit. Holy smokes.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

I felt like Nate Newton and (for a time) Erik Williams got more attention, but Allen goes down as the best from that line, which may be the greatest line in history and was in front of the all-time leading rusher. Allen also started at LT, RT, LG and RG during his career. If there's an all-time All-Pro team, I think Allen is in the starting lineup.

Well, Nate did give us plenty of weed, and the quote of the decade, after the Eagles racked up nine or 10 sacks against Dallas.

"It was like Pearl Harbor out there ..."

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

I read 700 pounds in one obit. Holy smokes.

Sad.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

I hate Dallas as much as the next guy, but have to give Allen his due. When John Madden sings your praises for two straight minutes, that's saying something.

I'll gladly take on that challenge, BB.

I'd pull for the Red forkin' Army against Dallas.

 

[swingline]

No way he was 7 bills, right? I mean, that's stupid TV show territory.

 

[playthrough]

He benched 700 in Dallas. Not sure about his weight...

 

[swingline]

I once saw a guy bench almost 500 at a 24-Hour Fitness gym in SoCal, but to think about four more 45-pound plates on the bar is crazy.