Emmitt Smith fought back tears as he paid tribute to his former NFL teammate, the late Larry Allen, in a social media post on Monday.

Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, shared his grief just hours after the Dallas Cowboys announced their former guard’s unexpected passing in a public statement.

Allen, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s physically strongest players, suddenly passed away while vacationing with his family in Mexico on Sunday. He is survived by his wife and their three children.

“I’m at a loss for words right now,” Smith, 55, said in an Instagram video.

“Such a good person. An incredible player. A wonderful human being… It breaks my heart. I am aware that life is fleeting and that we are only here for a short time. We must make the most of every moment and not take anyone for granted.”

Emmitt Smith struggled to contain his emotions as he discussed the sudden passing of his former teammate, Larry Allen, in an Instagram video on Monday.

“All I can say is, live your life to the fullest, love those closest to you, and do your best to love those who are not near you.”

Allen and Smith won a championship ring together in 1996 with Dallas before parting ways in 2002. They were teammates for eight seasons, starting in 1994.

In addition to his championship ring, Allen was an 11-time Pro Bowler and a six-time All-Pro during his career, which spanned from 1994 to 2007.

Smith reminisced about Allen’s achievements on the gridiron and his qualities off the field as a friend and individual.

“The one thing I know about Larry Allen is that he had a big heart and lived life to the fullest,” Smith remarked.

Smith rushing for a five-yard gain as Allen blocks the Eagles’ Darrin Smith in an NFL game in ’97

“He was a man of few words, but on the football field, he was a beast. He will be sorely missed.”

Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman also expressed his devastation over Allen’s unexpected passing on Monday.

“I just received the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved teammate, Larry Allen,” Aikman wrote on X. “He was a HOF offensive lineman who dominated opponents regardless of the position he played.”

“Off the field, he was a gentle giant who loved his family. Rest in Peace, LA.”