On this Father's Day 2024, give your father a hug. Not just a card. Or a perfunctory tie. A hug if you can. A tight one.
There are so many of us out here who wish we could still hug ours. As our family tradition, my sister, who leaves Dominick's cane by the front door in memory of always being ready to go, will tap the cane he would use once losing his eyesight.
There is another family out there recently wishing they could hug their father, too, that of Larry Allen, the Cowboys Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman who passed away on June 3 at the age of 52. This will be their first Father's Day without him.
73 views from the amazing life and playing career of the Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys Guard Larry Allen.
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) celebrates following the NFC Championship Game, a 38 - 27 Cowboys victory over the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1996, at Texas Stadium in Irving, Tex. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, August 15, 1999. Raiders beat Cowboys 10-3 in a preseason game. Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Guard Larry Allen #73 of the Dallas Cowboys before the game against the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on October 2, 2005. The Raiders defeated the Cowboys 19-13. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Offensive guard Larry Allen #73, tackle Flozell Adams #76, and Andre Gurode #65 of the Dallas Cowboys march toward the line of scrimmage against the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on October 2, 2005. The Raiders defeated the Cowboys 19-13. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Washington Redskins Oct. 4, 1998, at RFK Stadium in Washington. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 31â€"10. (Allen Kee via AP)
Dallas Cowboys' Larry Allen is pictured in action against the Philadelphia Eagles, date and location unknown. (AP Photo)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) is seen in action during Super Bowl XXX Jan. 28, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27–17. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guards Larry Allen (73) and Ron Stone (65) pose with running back Emmitt Smith (22) during Media Day before Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, AZ, Jan. 23, 1996. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) awaits the snap against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, CA, Nov. 10, 1996. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, November 19, 1995. Cowboys beat Raiders 34-21. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (8) shakes hands with guard Larry Allen (73). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) claps on the field while facing the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, CA, Nov. 10, 1996. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen (73), quarterback Troy Aikman (8), and center Derek Kennard (60) approach the line of scrimmage during Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tempe, AZ, Jan. 28, 1996. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Offensive lineman Larry Allen (73) blocks for quarterback Troy Aikman (8) against the Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush at Tempe in Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) is seen in action during Super Bowl XXX Jan. 28, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27–17. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
The Dallas Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek (84) gets congratulations from teammate Larry Allen (73), Emmitt Smith (22) and Michael Irvin (88) after Novacek scored his teams first touchdown in the first quarter at Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Arizona, Jan. 28, 1996. (AP Photo/David Phillip)
Larry Allen of the Dallas Cowboys blocks against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on December 21, 2003. Dallas won 19-3. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Larry Allen of the Dallas Cowboys looks to block against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on December 21, 2003. Dallas won 19-3. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen during 43-39 during victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field in Monday Night Football game in Seattle, Wash. on Dec. 6, 2004. (Kirby Lee via AP)
Larry Allen #73 of the Dallas Cowboys blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game on Nov. 7, 2004 in Cincinnati. The Bengals defeated the Cowboys 26-3. (Joe Robbins via AP)
NFC guard Larry Allen (73) of the Dallas Cowboys in action during the AFC's 29-24 victory over the NFC in the 1998 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1998 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Offensive guard Larry Allen #73 of the Dallas Cowboys blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles at Texas Stadium on November 15, 2004 in Irving, Texas. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 49-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Larry Allen smiles at a news confernce anouncing a new contract with the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998. In signing the six-year contract, Allen became the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Dave Campo, foreground, back to camera, is dwarfed by members of the team's offensive line during a team meeting following a morning practice at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tuesday, July 30, 2002. Some of the players include Raghib Ismail (81), Larry Allen (73), Flozell Adams (76), Aaron Gibson (63) and Char-ron Dorsey (79). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen workouts with a medicine ball as members of his team, background, participate in morning practice at training camp, Saturday, July 30, 2005, in Oxnard, Calif. Nine-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman, Allen didn't participate in the opening day of the Dallas Cowboys training camp Saturday and was placed on the physically unable to perform list. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2005, file photo, Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) shares a laugh with wide reciever Zuriel Smith (87) prior to the start of afternoon practice at NFL football training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Allen will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen at practice for the NFL Pro Bowl on January 31, 1996, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
NFC Dallas Cowboys players including guard Larry Allen (73), cornerback Deion Sanders (21) and running back Emmitt Smith (22) clown around as they pose for a media day photo during the week of the 1999 NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC and the NFC on February 7, 1999 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC won the game 23-10. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys players Leon Lett (78), Kavika Pittman (97), Larry Allen (73), Tony Tolbert (97), Erik Williams (97), Darren Benson (91), and Russell Maryland goof around at Media Day on January 23, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Dallas Cowboys and NFC all-stars Nate Newton (79) and Larry Allen (73) pose for a photo during NFL Pro Bowl Photo Day in Honolulu, HI, Jan. 31, 1998. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Dallas Cowboys La'Roi Glover, Larry Allen, Dexter Coakley, Flozell Adams, and Roy Williams at the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl. The NFC rallied from 25 points behind to win the game by a record (total score) of 55 to 52 over the AFC in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 7, 2004. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
NFC Dallas Cowboys 2005 NFL Pro Bowl All-Stars (players left to right: Jason Witten #82, La'Roi Glover #97, Larry Allen #73, and Roy Williams #31) pose with Hawaiian Hula girls for their 2005 NFL Pro Bowl team photo on February 11, 2005 in Ko Olina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys football players (from left) Jason Witten, Larry Allen, La'Roi Glover, and Roy Williams, pose with hula dancers Anreana Tseu, left, and Liana Green, right, during a photo session prior to NFC practice for the Pro Bowl Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) a 26-23 AFC overtime victory on February 2, 1997, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen (73) sets to block during the NFL Pro Bowl, a 29 - 24 AFC victory on Feb. 1, 1998, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Larry Allen #73 of the Dallas Cowboys National Football Conference NFC All-Stars pass blocks at the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 12, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 23-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
NFC guard Larry Allen #73 of the Dallas Cowboys pass blocks against AFC defensive tackle Marcus Stroud #99 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2005 NFL Pro Bowl All-Stars game on February 13, 2005 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC defeated the NFC 38-27. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
NFC offensive guard Larry Allen of the Dallas Cowboys during 38-27 loss to the AFC in the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005. (Kirby Lee via AP)
Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen laughs during a news conference in Irving, Texas, Thursday, March 7, 2002. The Cowboys announced a contract extension for All-Pro guard Allen. The agreement will make Allen one of the highest-paid NFL offensive linemen and likely keep him in Dallas for the rest of his career. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Larry Allen, left, helps his son, Larry Allen III, in the weight room at De La Salle high school Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Concord, Calif. After 12 dominant seasons and a Super Bowl title with the Cowboys and two final years closer to home with San Francisco, his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech Saturday night will be on national television in front of thousands of people in Canton, Ohio. Plenty of family and friends will be there but not his mother, Vera Allen. The woman responsible for steering him away from gangs as a kid in the Los Angeles area died a year ago. Allen helps coach his son at the high school. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Larry Allen smiles while watching his son and the varsity football team lift weights at De La Salle high school Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Concord, Calif. After 12 dominant seasons and a Super Bowl title with the Cowboys and two final years closer to home with San Francisco, his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech Saturday night will be on national television in front of thousands of people in Canton, Ohio. Plenty of family and friends will be there but not his mother, Vera Allen. The woman responsible for steering him away from gangs as a kid in the Los Angeles area died a year ago. Allen helps coach his son, Larry Allen III, at the high school. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Larry Allen, right, looks on as his son, Larry Allen III, bottom, lifts weights at De La Salle high school Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Concord, Calif. After 12 dominant seasons and a Super Bowl title with the Cowboys and two final years closer to home with San Francisco, his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech Saturday night will be on national television in front of thousands of people in Canton, Ohio. Plenty of family and friends will be there but not his mother, Vera Allen. The woman responsible for steering him away from gangs as a kid in the Los Angeles area died a year ago. Allen helps coach his son on the football team at the high school. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former Cowboys player Larry Allen before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick (72) talks with NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman Larry Allen (right) during an NFL training camp practice on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Retired Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, October 27, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Redskins defeated the Cowboys in overtime, 20-17. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Former Dallas Cowboys lineman Larry Allen watches pregame warmups before the NFL preseason week 1 football game against the Oakland Raiders on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game 19-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2011 file photo, former Dallas Cowboys player Larry Allen is shown before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas. Allen will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Former Dallas Cowboys Larry Allen (left), Charles Haley (center) and Drew Pearson (right) watch as their names on the stadium wall were revealed as they were all inducted into the club's Ring of Honor during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 23-13. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen's name on the stadium wall is revealed as Allen was inducted into the club's Ring of Honor during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 23-13. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Former Dallas Cowboys Charles Haley (center) and Larry Allen (to his right) watch as their names on the stadium wall were revealed as they were all inducted into the club's Ring of Honor during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 23-13. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
From left, Former Dallas Cowboys player Larry Allen reacts during an induction ceremony into the Cowboys Ring of Honor as former players Emmitt Smith, Chuck Howley and Tony Dorsett look on at Halftime of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday Nov. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. Allen played on the team from 1994-2005. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)
Inductee Larry Allen talks with the Dallas Cowboys at the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins, 24-20. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Hall of Fame offensive lineman Larry Allen looks on before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins on Sunday, August 4, 2013, at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins, 24-20, in the preseason Hall of Fame game. (AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Former NFL football player Larry Allen, left, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unveil the bust of Allen during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen smiles with his bust during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies on Saturday, August 3, 2013, at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen smiles with his bust during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies on Saturday, August 3, 2013, at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
The Hall of Fame bust of former Dallas Cowboys player Larry Allen sits by the 50-yard-marker on the field during half time of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. Allen was honored during a half time ceremony by the Cowboys. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Dallas Cowboys
during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 31-16. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen shows off his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring at halftime of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 31-16. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen (left) rubs the top of his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust as owner Jerry Jones watches during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 31-16. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame inductee Larry Allen acknowledges the crowd after accepting his Hall of Fame Ring from owner Jerry Jones at the halftime of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen's name on the stadium wall is revealed as Allen was inducted into the club's Ring of Honor during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 23-13. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen tries on his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring at halftime of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 31-16. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Former Dallas Cowboys offensive guard and tackle Larry Allen laughs during an interview after the announcement that he was selected to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2013 Class of Enshrinees at the media center in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the week of NFL Super Bowl XLVII on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Larry Allen during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field in Seattle on Monday, August 22, 2005. (Kirby Lee via AP)
And there is something they all would like everyone to know, and this might surprise most about this 6-3, 335-pound brute of an offensive guard. One who played 14 seasons at the highest of high levels in the NFL, 12 of those for the Dallas Cowboys, having terrorized defensive players and once having bench pressed 700 pounds. One who said in his Aug. 3, 2013, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech in Canton, Ohio, that his goal playing every one of his 203 professional games was to make his opponent "submit."
His immediate family of four he has left behind – wife Janelle, daughters Jayla and Loriana, and son Larry Allen III – remember him more for being Daddy than this larger-than-life football player the late John Madden would simply gush over. The pictures they will cling to the rest of their lives poignantly tell that story.
Right there with the Instagram post from his oldest child Jayla:
"I don't know how to write this message and what to say. I am in complete shock. I feel like this is a nightmare and I can't (wake) up. Every night I would pray to keep you safe. This doesn't feel real dad. I am heart broken and don't know where to go from this.
"I was blessed with the best father who loved me unconditionally. You would do anything for our family, and I am forever grateful. I feel completely broken and don't know where to go from here. The pain of losing you will stay with me forever. You were my best friend and twin. People always said we were so much a like and that always made me smile.
"I know you are in peace and with granny. I love you always and forever! Rest in peace."
For a man so many were afraid of, Larry was this big, ol' teddy bear to his wife and kids. And if you are willing to take the time, listen to his 16-minute Hall of Fame induction speech – about 13 minutes more than some of us who knew him set the over-under – to understand how much his wife, his kids, his brother, his mother, his grandmother and the Hatton Family he lived with in Napa, Calif., for his senior year in high school meant to him.
Why, he talked about his family and extended family for the first half of his speech, a full eight minutes, interspersed with nervous laughter, moments of silence to compose himself with the help of a cheering crowd and a few funny wisecracks of his own. A side of Larry Allen few of us ever saw.
But they knew. Jayla knew. She was just finishing high school, heading to Pepperdine University, and interviewed her father that summer to help him organize and write his speech. And it really wasn't a speech. It was just Larry Allen talking, talking like I only witnessed once, and that was interviewing him for like two hours at his home in Danville, Calif., while we were putting together his Deep Blue documentary, From Compton to Canton.
Just so genuine.
He began with Janelle: "Of course, I want to thank my heart and soul, my wife, Janelle. On our first date, she cooked for me. She cooked me two chickens, French fries and baked me a cake and gave me a 40 ounce. I knew then that was my wife right there. She has blessed me with three beautiful children."
He went on and on about his kids, not about himself.
First Jayla: "She's a talented actress and a writer. She helped me write this speech. I remember when she was a little girl, I would have a bad game, she was sensitive, and she'd come up to me and say, 'Daddy, what's wrong?' She was about 4 years old. She would bring me cookies, cakes and just try to cheer me up. She'll be going to Pepperdine University this year. I'm so proud of my little mama, and I hope she'll turn into – I know she's going to be an amazing woman."
Then Loriana, now also at Pepperdine: "She's a basketball player. She's kind of like LeBron James. She's pretty good. She's the funniest person I know. She makes me laugh all the time."
And then to his son, Larry III, who eventually played football at Harvard University and signed as an unrestricted rookie free agent with the Cowboys in 2019, walking in Larry's footsteps through training camp:
"He's a 6-4, 290-pound offensive lineman that plays at De La Salle High School, the No. 1 team in California. He's the smartest person I know, and I'm proud of you, son. Very polite, but once he gets on that field, he's a beast, just like his daddy."
Like, did you ever know that Larry Allen, the one he and wife Janelle have put through these prestigious academic colleges he was so proud of?
Unlikely.
Larry then went on with his softer side, thanking everyone from the Jones Family, to his mother Vera, to Grandma Dotson, to the Hattons, to brother Byron, to all the Cowboys offensive linemen he had played with, to all the Cowboys defensive linemen he practiced against. He made a special shoutout to his Cowboys Hall of Fame teammates, then coaches, the scouting department (the now late Larry Lacewell) and all the way to the trainers and equipment guys.
And during the final minute of those precious 16 during his speech, totally unexpected from this man of few words, he asked for forgiveness, saying, "And as you know, I'm nervous, so if I forgot anybody, I'm sorry. Thank you, and God bless."
Yep, this Larry Allen, the family man, the one his family knew far better than most, and no matter the immediate sadness, will always embrace through those tender memories and everlasting pictures on Father's Days forever more.
