Emmitt Smith fought off tears as he remembered his former teammate, Larry Allen.
Allen, on the shortlist of the best offensive linemen in NFL history, died suddenly at 52 years old while on vacation with his family in Mexico, the Cowboys announced earlier Monday.
Smith mourned Allen in a video on Instagram.
“I’m at a loss of words right now,” Smith said.
“Such a good dude. Great player. Super person … It just breaks my heart. I know life is very fragile and we’re only here for a moment. We need to make the best out of every moment and not take people for granted.
“All I can say is, live your life to the fullest that you can, love those that are closest to you, love those that are not near you as best as you can.”
Allen made the Pro Bowl 11 times and was a six-time All-Pro in a career that spanned from 1994-2007.
Smith remembered Allen both as a man and a football player.
“The one thing about Larry Allen I know — he had a big heart, and he lived life to the fullest,” he said.
“A man of very few words, but on the football field he was a beast. He will be sorely missed.”
In a post on X, former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was also heartbroken by Allen’s sudden passing.
“Just received the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved teammate Larry Allen. He was a HOF offensive lineman that dominated opponents regardless of the position played. Off the field, he was a gentle giant that loved his family. Rest in Peace LA,” Aikman wrote.
