Gary Allen (American football) Cause Of Death
It is with deep sadness that we announce the cause of death of Gary Allen, the celebrated University of Hawaii football player and the record-breaking rusher in the program’s history. Gary Allen passed away today in Los Angeles at the age of 63 due to heart failure, marking the end of an extraordinary life that touched the hearts of many.
During his illustrious four seasons as a tailback for the Rainbow Warriors, Allen made his mark in football history. Setting a career record of 3,451 rushing yards at the University of Hawaii, he showcased his exceptional talent, determination, and dedication to the sport.
Jesse Sapolu, a former UH offensive lineman who went on to achieve great success with the San Francisco 49ers, reflected on Allen’s impact, stating, “If you put everything together, we’ve had some great running backs. But everybody knows he’s right up there all time. It’s a sad moment for all of us.”
Allen’s playing style and iconic image of his flapping shoulder pads became synonymous with his name. Known for his tenacity and unwavering commitment, Allen left a lasting impression on his teammates and coaches. Brian Derby, a former UH lineman and football camp coach, reminisced about Allen’s unparalleled work ethic, saying, “He ran so frickin’ hard… I’ve never seen anyone practice as hard as him. We would run 28 sweep, and he would take the ball and run all the way to the end zone. And then run back (to the huddle). And then the next play, he’d run all the way to the end zone again.”
Sapolu added, “He was spunky, always creating a good mood in practice. He loved his offensive line. He challenged us. He had a great spirit to him.”
Following his college career, Allen was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He had the opportunity to play alongside Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell and also had a stint with the Dallas Cowboys.
In 1998, Allen’s induction into UH’s Circle of Honor was celebrated at a banquet where he expressed his gratitude to his teammates. Brian Derby highlighted the significance of their friendship, stating, “We’re here because of the person you are, not the player. The player is secondary. I’m here because you’re a great person. The friendship we made, that’s more important than anything we did on the field. Nobody remembers us as players. We’re has-beens. But they remember how we treated people.”
In recent years, Allen continued to foster connections with his former teammates by joining them on road trips from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to support the University of Hawaii football team. Rick Nakashima, a close friend of Allen’s for over 40 years and the organizer of these trips, expressed his profound grief, saying, “I’m really hurt. I’ve had a lot of people pass away lately, but this… gosh, darn, this hurts. Oh, man, Gary was such a good guy. So darn humble, too. He was funny and a great guy to be around.”
Gary Allen is survived by his loving wife Hilda, his daughter Adrian, and his son Jaden, who also had a notable career as a UH receiver. As we mourn the loss of an extraordinary athlete and a remarkable individual, we cherish the memories of Gary Allen and the significant impact he made both on and off the football field. His spirit and legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.