Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame offensive lineman Larry Allen passed away unexpectedly over the weekend while on vacation with his family in Mexico. He was 52 years old.

The 6’3”, 330-pound, 11-time Pro Bowl pick is widely considered to be one of the best offensive lineman in the history of the National Football League. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

He played most of his career with the Cowboys from 1994 to 2005 and played his final two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

“Larry, known for his great athleticism and incredible strength, was one of the most respected, accomplished offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL,” the team said in a statement. “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 Loriana 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.”

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Cowboys Legend Larry Allen 💙 pic.twitter.com/l351PCkqdG

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 3, 2024

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman posted on X: “Just received the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved teammate Larry Allen. He was a HOF offensive lineman that dominated opponents regardless of the position played. Off the field, he was a gentle giant that loved his family. Rest in Peace LA.”

Former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith said that news of Allen’s passing “just breaks my heart.”

“I’m at a loss of words right now. Such a good dude, great player, super person,” Smith said. “The one thing about Larry Allen, I know. He had a big heart and he lived life to the fullest. A man of very few words but on the football field was a beast. And [he] will be sorely missed.”

Here is Larry Allen bench pressing 700 pounds. It’s a moment that is still talked about in the halls of the Dallas Cowboys.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/nuTidXD0TY

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) June 3, 2024

Larry Allen was one of the most incredible athletes the NFL has ever seen

Maybe the most dominant run blocker ever, but legitimately insane speed too

Here he was making a chase down tackle out of nowhere pic.twitter.com/vTSPLXrlrm

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 3, 2024

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a lifelong Democrat out of New Jersey, has reportedly filed paperwork to run for a fourth term in office as an independent as he currently on trial in a federal corruption case that, if convicted, could result in him spending the rest of his life in prison.

The New Jersey Globe reported that Menendez himself did not deliver the petitions himself as he is currently in a federal courthouse in Manhattan for his 12th day on trial.

Menendez running as an independent could potentially threaten the Democrat Party’s grip on the state as it could divide voter’s support for the Democrat nominee and catapult a Republican to victory.

However, the likelihood of this appears to be low, especially if Menendez is convicted of the various corruption-related charges that he faces.

By running as an independent, Menendez can “continue to raise and spend campaign contributions on lawyers hired to defend him and his wife,” Nadine Menendez, who is also charged in the alleged criminal conspiracy, The New York Times reported.

He said earlier this year that if he was exonerated in the case that he would “pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election.”

“Americans are fed up with politicians putting their own personal benefit ahead of what’s right for the country,” said Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), who is running to be the party’s nominee for the seat, said in a statement. “Everyone knows Bob Menendez isn’t running for the people of New Jersey, he’s doing it for himself. It’s beyond time for change and I’m stepping up to restore integrity back into the U.S. Senate.”

Menendez and his wife were indicted on federal charges in September for allegedly accepting bribes from three businessmen in exchange for actions that he took as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. According to the DOJ, the alleged bribes were intended to protect the businessmen and to benefit Egypt.

Prosecutors later said in a revised indictment that Menendez also allegedly used his clout to help a friend secure a multi-million dollar investment deal from the Qatari government, in part by taking actions that benefited Qatar.

In a subsequent superseding indictment, Menendez was also charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, public official acting as a foreign agent, bribery, extortion and honest services wire fraud.