More than two years after NFL Hall of Famer Larry Allen passed away, fellow Hall of Famer Michael Irvin recently shared an emotional detail that few people knew.

During a recent video on his YouTube channel on June 30, Irvin explained why Allen chose to keep his serious illness hidden from the public before he passed away on June 2, 2024

"And you know, a lot of people didn't know, but she [Allen's wife] did share with me that Larry Allen was really, really ill before he passed," Irvin said. "And I just bring that up because, certainly, every man can do it his own way. Larry did not want anyone to know. And that was so difficult for his family and his wife, because she honored his wishes as she should have."

Irvin further shared that many fans may have been disappointed that they never got a chance to see Allen during his final days. But he believes Allen's wife, Janelle, and the rest of the family did the right thing by honoring his wishes.

"I bring all of that up just to say that I understand Larry's approach to it," Irvin said in the same video on June 30. "You know, Larry was the most dominant man in the world. Larry Allen - the biggest force in the world, the strongest man in the world. And from what she said to me, he just did not want anybody to see him that way."

Allen was a versatile offensive lineman, playing at both left tackle and guard, as he helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX in the 1995 season.

He played 14 seasons in the NFL, playing 12 seasons with the Cowboys and two with the San Francisco 49ers, where he earned eleven Pro Bowl selections and six First-Team All-Pro honors.

Allen passed away while he was on vacation in Mexico with his family. He is survived by his wife, Janelle, and their three children: daughters Jayla and Loriana, and son Larry III.

Having faced similar emotional challenges while supporting a loved one through a serious illness, Irvin said he understood exactly what Allen's family must have gone through.

Understanding the burden: Irvin's own caregiving journey

In the same video he shared on his YouTube Channel on June 30, Michael Irvin also spoke about his wife, Sandy, dealing with Alzheimer's.

"I just walked back - I was in the room with my wife," Irvin said in the same video. "And my wife - she's gotten real frail. Doesn't necessarily do a lot of walking on her own. She can get up and move around, but she's not there mentally."

Irvin previously revealed that his wife has early-onset Alzheimer's disease and has been diagnosed with the illness for nearly six years, according to Matt Ehalt of The NY Post in June 2024.

His wife's ongoing battle has made Irvin understand the emotional burden carried by the families facing similar situations.

We send our prayers and wish them patience to get through this tough situation.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi