ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Grady Allen, the father of Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen and a former NFL linebacker, has died. He was 66.
The Raiders said Tuesday that Grady Allen died overnight from cardiac arrest. Dennis Allen had left the Raiders on Sunday night to go to the Dallas area to be with his father, who was hospitalized last week.
"When we first heard it, we were shocked," cornerback Michael Huff said. "We knew he was sick but we didn't know to what extreme. When we first heard it, like I said, it was sad. Anytime a part of our families dies, obviously, Coach Allen's a part of our family so his dad's a part of our family so anytime a part of our family dies, it's a sad moment. We know we have to go ahead and mourn but still go out there and play well. I say, get this victory for him."
Dennis Allen is expected to rejoin the team Wednesday night and coach Oakland against Denver on Thursday night. Offensive co-ordinator Greg Knapp oversaw the team at practice on Tuesday with defensive co-ordinator Jason Tarver running that side of the ball.
Quarterback Carson Palmer said it was a challenge to prepare for the game without Allen, but the team would persevere.
"We understand he just needs some time away and a chance to be with his family," Palmer said. "What we need to do for him is prepare, get ready to play this game and focus on this game and be as prepared as we can in a short amount of time for when he returns."
Grady Allen played 59 games over five years as a linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons.
Broncos coach John Fox said he met Grady Allen last year when Dennis was defensive co-ordinator for the Broncos. Fox sent his best wishes to the Allen family and said he was glad Dennis Allen was able to be with his family during this difficult time.
"Sometimes we get a little caught up in what we do for a living and those types of things, but if that was something he would have asked me, I would have said you need to be with your family," Fox said.
