Larry Allen’s path to the Hall of Fame was anything but typical. There were no golden spoons, no predestined pedigree. Nothing but the hopeless reality of his hometown of Compton. Learn more about how he escaped gang life and went on to become one of the most accomplished players in NFL history.
HOME
NEXT
We meet Larry's childhood friend (Hatton). And learn how he gets out of Compton.
Steve Hatton was not only Larry’s best friend in high school–the two remained friends for life. Hear why in the clips below.
We learn what kind of defenseman Larry was. And see an early clip of him dominating.
Larry finished high school here, but ultimately did not graduate.
Vintage High School Napa, California
As a junior, Larry transferred here.
Edison High School Stockton, California
This is where Larry went to high school his sophomore year.
Tokay High School Lodi, California
Larry attended Centennial High School as a freshman. This is where he first caught the football bug and went on to letter for the school’s team.
Centennial High School Compton, California
Centennial High School to Tokay High School [Short description on the significance of each location, why he moved, etc]
Over the course of Larry Allen’s teenage years, he went to four different high schools. All of that change would send most other kids off track. But not Larry. Click arrows to see more.
Larry's mother finds out he wants to join a gang. He describes his response.
Larry Allen on avoiding gang life as a kid
My mom, she found out that I wanted to join a gang. So she sent me to the rival high school. She said, you wanna join a gang, we’ll see how bad you are. And that stopped all that.
Typically, growing up in a place like Compton would set a kid back in life. Whether by the draw of gang life or the underfunded schools, Larry Allen’s hometown was not making it any easier for him to succeed. And while he was nearly swept up into the rivalry of Bloods and Crips, his mother, Vera Allen, used tough love to keep him on track. Click through to hear Larry talk about his younger days in Compton. And meet his best childhood friend, Steve Hatton–the guy who Larry credits for helping to get his life in order.
BACK
Scalercia talks about how he convinced Larry's mom to let him go to Sonoma State to play football.
Frank Scalercia on the first time he saw Larry play
I’m walking up in the stadium, I get to the top and the play starts, and Larry’s pass blocking. And this big kid goes to tee off on Larry. And Larry picks the kid up in the air and body slams him and stands there. All I could think was, who is that guy?!
We hear from Frank Scalercia, Larry's coach from Sonoma State, on the time he first saw Larry in action.
Frank Scalercia talks about what he did when he found out that Larry had gone back to Compton to get his AA degree. And he talks about the move he made to get in touch with him.
Butte College Coach
Every game, he would do something that the coaches would just look at each other and say, “I can’t believe he just did that.
At the end of his senior year at Napa Vintage High, Larry ended up falling just a few credits shy of graduating. Never one to be deterred from chasing his dreams, he moved on to Butte Junior College for the simple fact that he wanted to continue playing football. And it quickly became clear that Larry was too talented to be stopped because after just two seasons at Butte, he had major college scouts watching his every play. Click through to hear from Frank Scalercio, one of those college coaches who would later change the direction of Larry’s life once again. And hear how Larry went from a football player without a high school diploma, to one of the most watched college players on the West Coast.
Marcus Spears Draft Selection: 39 Northwestern State- Louisiana
0
11
21
197
104
203
14
Larry Allen
Marcus Spears
PRO BOWLS
GAMES STARTED
GAMES PLAYED
SEASONS
VS.
Tre' Johnson Draft Selection: 31 Temple
1
72
93
9
Tre' Johnson
Todd Steussie Draft Selection: 19 California
2
185
213
Todd Steussie
Wayne Gandy Draft Selection: 15 Auburn
205
219
15
Wayne Gandy
Bernard Williams Draft Selection: 14 Georgia
16
4
Bernard Williams
Click to see how others compared that year.
Larry Allen was pick # 46 in the 2nd round draft in 1994 from Sonoma State, and was one of 2 players that year to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Larry discusses what it was like being drafted to the Cowboys.
Larry Allen on being drafted to the Dallas Cowboys
Mr. Jones said, “Would you like to be a Cowboy? I said, “yessir.” - Larry, on being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
Recruiters discuss the troubles.
It’s pretty clear that nothing in Larry’s life was ever handed to him. And just like his early challenges going from Compton to Napa High, and Butte to Sonoma College, going from college to the NFL was a difficult feat. The ever-persistent Larry, however, never backed down. And he managed to pull off the rare transition from a Division 2 college to the NFL draft. Click through to hear from some of the coaches who decided that Larry Allen was a football talent they couldn't afford to pass up.
Emmitt Smith talking about one big play that he and Larry had practiced before Super Bowl 30 that panned out exactly how they planned.
Emmitt Smith
Watching him workout was amazing. And watching him move was even more amazing. Then to see him put all of that stuff together, along with his toughness, and his will, and his determination to be the best was phenomenal.
In a game against the New Orleans Saints, Larry makes a big play.
Players on opposing teams would try to avoid going up against Larry when he was on the line.
Dan Dierdorf running commentary on Larry's big first NFL play
This guy’s got a rocket booster strapped to his back! Look at this, folks! 6’ 3”, 325 lbs! I’m tellin’ you, that’s one of the most impressive, athletic feats I have ever seen.
Once Larry was drafted by the Cowboys, he thought he had officially made it. But he quickly realized that the NFL played an entirely different game from college ball. After just a few weeks at training camp, and a few tussles with some of the more senior Cowboys, Larry eventually caught his stride. Click through to hear some of his fellow Cowboys talking about Larry’s growth as an NFL player. And get a glimpse of the play that made him one of the most feared offensive linemen in the league.
Super Bowl XXX Champion - Dallas Cowboys 1990s NFL All-Decade Team 2000s NFL All-Decade Team 1996 NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year (NFLPA) 1997 NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year (NFLPA) 1997 NFL Offensive Lineman of the year (NFL Alumni) Class of 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee
Awards and Honors
* Did not play
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000* 2001 2002* 2004 2005 2006 2007
Pro Bowls
Earned honor as tackle All other honors earned as guard
T
1995 (UPI)
All-NFC Second Team:
1996 (UPI, PW) 1997 (PW) 1998 (PW) 1999 (PW) 2000 (PW) 2001 (PW)
All-NFC:
1995 (AP)
All-Pro Second Team:
1995 (SN) 1996 (AP, PFWA, SN) 1997 (AP, PFWA, SN) 1998 (AP, PFWA, SN) 1999 (AP, PFWA, SN) 2000 (AP, PFWA, SN) 2001 (AP, PFWA, SN)
All-Pro:
All-League Teams
(1st) (1st) (1st) (4th) (1st) (2nd) (4th) (5th) (4th) (2nd) (3rd) (3rd) (3rd) (3rd)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 4 6 10 6 8 11 11 11 6 10 7 9 11
12 12 10 6 10 8 5 5 5 10 6 9 7 5
Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys San Fransisco 49ers San Fransisco 49ers
Division Finish
L
W
Team
Year
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Awards & Honors
6
Games Played
Straight All-Pro Seasons
7
Seasons
Career Highlights
Watch Larry Allen's 2013 Enshrinement Speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium.
Larry Allen benches 700+ lbs.
Emmitt Smith on Larry's prowess on the field
That’s a locomotive trying to hit a Toyota. It just doesn’t work.
While the position of offensive lineman isn’t always the most glamourous, Larry Allen managed to shine beyond his role on the field with every single game. His skills on the field became invaluable to his teammates as he blocked for the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith—leading the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory in 1996, and himself to 11 Pro Bowl appearances throughout his career. Click through to hear his Cowboy teammates talk about how he instilled a sense of fear in every opponent. And catch a clip of the typically humble and soft-spoken Larry Allen giving his Hall of Fame inductee speech.
WATCH NOW
