Dallas Cowboys legend and Super Bowl winner Larry Allen dies suddenly aged 52 while on vacation with his family in Mexico

Legendary Dallas Cowboys guard and Super Bowl winner Larry Allen has died suddenly at the age of 52 while on vacation with his family in Mexico.

Allen played in the NFL for 14 seasons after being drafted in 1994, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the San Francisco 49ers for the final two seasons of his career. 

He played in Super Bowl XXX in 1996 - helping the Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in Arizona.

Allen earned ten Pro Bowl selections during his career - the most of any offensive player in Cowboys history - and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Allen is survived by his wife, Janelle, daughters Jayla and Lariana and son, Larry III. 

Legendary Dallas Cowboys guard and Super Bowl winner Larry Allen has died at the age of 52

Allen is survived by his wife, Janelle, daughters Jayla and Lariana and son, Larry III

The Dallas Cowboys said in a statement: 'We are very saddened to share that Cowboys legend, Super Bowl Champion, Cowboys Ring of Honor member and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away suddenly while on vacation in Mexico with his family on Sunday.

'Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL.

'His versatility and dependability were also signature parts of his career. Through that, he continued to serve as inspiration for many other players, defining what it meant to be a great teammate, competitor and winner.

'He was deeply loved and cared for by his wife, Janelle - whom he referred to as his heart and soul - his daughters Jayla and Lariana and son, Larry III.

'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.

'Memorial service arrangements and details will be announced in the near future.'

Allen (right) played in Super Bowl XXX as the Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 

Allen's NFL career is even more remarkable when you consider his traumatic childhood

Allen's impressive NFL career is even more remarkable when you consider his traumatic childhood. 

Growing up in Compton, he contracted meningitis and almost died when he was just six weeks old.

Then, when he was nine, Allen was stabbed 12 times in the head and shoulder by a young neighbor while protecting his brother. 

The former Sonoma State lineman once bench-pressed 700 pounds while dumbfounded teammates watched, then mobbed him.

Allen was regarded as one of the best and most physically dominant guards in the NFL

The Cowboys were coming off consecutive Super Bowl wins when they drafted Allen. He was surrounded by Pro Bowl offensive linemen but didn´t take long to get noticed, eventually making 11 Pro Bowls himself.

Late in his rookie season, Allen saved a touchdown by running down Darion Conner when it looked like the New Orleans linebacker only had Troy Aikman to beat down the sideline. Most of the rest of his career was defined by power - first as a tackle, where the Cowboys figured he would be a mainstay, and ultimately as a guard.

'The National Football League is filled with gifted athletes, but only a rare few have combined the size, brute strength, speed and agility of Larry Allen,' the Hall of Fame said in a statement. 'What he could do as an offensive lineman often defied logic and comprehension.'

After retiring, Allen retreated to a quiet life in Northern California with his wife and three kids.