Never forget late Cowboys legend Larry Allen iconically bench-pressing 700 pounds

Dallas Cowboys fans are currently in mourning following the loss of legendary offensive lineman Larry Allen. The Cowboys announced on Monday that Allen passed away suddenly while on vacation with his family in Mexico. Allen was just 52 years old and the cause of his death is not yet known.

Allen is one of the best players in the history of the Cowboys and arguably the best offensive lineman to ever grace the NFL. He played four positions at a Pro Bowl level before he settled in as Dallas' full-time left guard in 1999 until he retired after the 2007 season.

Voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, Allen was renowned for "dirting" or "pancaking" defenders before the league even knew of the term. Cowboys fans will remember Allen's thunderous tone-setting block against All-Pro linebacker Greg Loyd in Dallas' Super Bowl win over the Steelers in 1996.

In the simplest of terms, Allen is one of the greatest athletes the NFL has ever seen. His 335-pound frame and superhuman strength made him a dominant force in the trenches. He put that strength to the test off the field as well.

Allen's greatest display in that regard may have been when he bench-pressed an impossible 700 pounds in the Cowboys' weight room while training during the 2001 offseason.

Remembering Cowboys legend Larry Allen bench-pressing 700 pounds in front of Dallas teammates

Between Allen getting spotted by then-offensive line coach Hudson Houck and getting mobbed by Cowboys teammates in the aftermath, that clip is forever etched into the memory of Cowboys fans. How could it not? It's one of the most spectacular displays of strength by any NFL player ever. Period.

Allen won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys, made six First-Team All-Pros and authored some of the most ferocious blocks the league has ever seen, but make no mistake: benching 700 pounds was one of the most impressive feats of his distinguished career.

Of course, that wasn't the only time Allen showcased his bruteness. At the 2006 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge, Allen participated in the Strongest Man competition and pumped out 43 reps of 235 pounds on the bench press. Allen's display left ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman utterly dumbfounded.

Allen's other notable feats include squatting 900 pounds and he was a multi-time winner of the Strongest Man contest at the Pro Bowl. The Hall of Famer is confident that he could have benched more than 700 pounds, but he never attempted that much weight so as to not risk injury.

Allen's passing is tragic beyond words, but it's been uplifting to witness Cowboys fans and the NFL communicate celebrate his career.

Rest in peace to one of the greatest of all-time.

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