Larry Allen, an NFL Hall of Fame player who played for the Dallas Cowboys as a guard and tackle, passed on the previous week, and the NFL world has paid tribute to him. Each time increasing in number,,newcomers’ discussions have shifted to who deserves to be drafted into the so exclusive All-NFL Hall of Fame Team, which includes only Allen.
Allen, noted for his rather singular strength and perseverance, was an integral part of the Cowboys’ offence line in Nineties and early years of Twenty-First century. He played so well throughout his career to the extent being chosen to the Pro Bowl 11 times, the last being in 2006’s game, which was won by the Denver Broncos’ coach, Sean Payton, who probably spoke of his giant personality when he said,
This is according to Payton who vividly remembered how Allen dominated his opponents even during practice at the 2006 Pro Bowl. But after a while, the memories of laughter and good spirits have faded and Payton could only say with smile: ‘Larry was just a mountain of a man. The words of needless: ‘I will never forget him behind the scenes bench pressing seven hundred pounds one day we were all amazed he could do things no one else could do on the rugby pitch doing it on bench and making it look so easy’.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy spoke to his team after Allen passed, such disorderly conduct is rare in the game, but Allen indeed imbued an irreversible stamp in the game. “Larry is associated with NFL football player’s style of play that characterizes professionalism and efficacy,” McCarthy said. ’he work ethic that is the embodiment of power, he commitment to excellence – these were the ideals that we work towards every day.
Salute to Larry Allen. IMO, the best to ever do it on the offensive line. Prayers to his family and friends 🙏🏻. #CowboysNation ✭ pic.twitter.com/gQDBsFNJU8
— Smack talking Cowboys fan ✭ (@MrSoprano21) June 4, 2024
With Allen’s legacy cemented, the question remains: as to whom only Gridiron greatness would invite to share the All-NFL Hall of Fame Team with him. Off the top of my head, a few names that could be mentioned are: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Stanislas Wawrinka, all of whom have their own style and make their individual impacts on the sport.
One good candidate is Joe Thomas who at the time of writing is an inactive player for Cleveland Browns, playing left tackle. Thomas played eight seasons for Cleveland and he was an upper tier talent despite having gutter performances from the team most of the time as evidenced by ten Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro nods. Amidst all these orchestrate problems, Thomas’s performance did not fade or fluctuate; he remained constant and extraordinary, thus considered one of the best of all times.
Another possible addition is Steve Hutchinson, who was previously with McDonalds and was considered one of the best guard players. Kelly was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and also played for Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans and he was notable as seven time pro bowler, five time first team all-pro. He developed great running lanes and he covered the Quarterback; thus, making him one of the biggest fears of any defenser during his days.
RIP Larry Allen One of the Best Ever🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/qa9bQDU8fn
— Chad (@braves2430) June 3, 2024
There is also the lively running back Marshall Faulk to consider. Faulk’s introduction of self as both a runner and a receiver dramatically changed the kinds of players that could be effective at the position. In his NFL career at Indianapolis Colts and St, Louis Rams, Faulk rushed for over 12,000 yards and scored 136 touchdowns besides accumulating 7,429 kickoff return yards. Still a part of the Greatest Show on Turf Rams offence, his time still is regarded as the most exhilarating era in NFL.
To start, there are a few positions that are rather obvious: defensively, their go-to-player would have to be Charles Woodson. Woodson has played for the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers for 18 years, and he has been the NFL defensive player of the year in 2009; besides, he went to the Pro Bowl nine times. As a lock for the AFC 25 roster, he should be included because he is equally brilliant as a corner back and a safety.
Finally, there is Ray Lewis who is the heartbeat of the Baltimore Ravens defense team and whose future was the biggest mystery. A two-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Lewis walks, talks and plays with leadership and intensity, and there is no denying that. More so, his ability to read offenses and thrive by delivering some of the most fundamental, bone-crunching hits was a nuisance to playing teams.
Thus, as the NFL community and all football lovers go on celebrating the well-deserved achievements of Larry Allen, which are to be remembered throughout the history of American football, it has been demonstrated that the great legacy of the renowned player will go on, summed-up in the envelope of the direct successors of Allen himself. With candidates such as Thomas, Hutchinson, Faulk, Woodson, and Lewis in future All-NFL Hall of Fame Team selections, one can say that the future is looking brighter as these individuals continue the tradition by emulating the strengths and skills of past legends.
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