Editing Larry Allen (section)

==Early life==
Allen grew up in [[Compton, California]], and had a troubled childhood, including contracting [[meningitis]] and almost dying at six weeks old, as well as being stabbed 12 times in the head, shoulder, and neck by a young neighbor while trying to protect his brother at the age of 10.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sabin |first=Rainer |date=February 2, 2013 |title=HOF decision nears: Larry Allen close to capping Compton to Canton journey |publisher=Dallas Morning News |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20130201-hall-of-fame-decision-nears-ex-cowboy-larry-allen-close-to-completing-journey-from-compton-to-canton.ece}}</ref> He attended a different school in each of his four years of high school. As a freshman at [[Centennial High School (Compton, California)|Centennial High School]] in [[Compton, California|Compton]], Allen [[Varsity letter|lettered]] in [[American football|football]]. For his sophomore year, he attended [[Tokay High School]] in [[Lodi, California|Lodi]]. As a junior, Allen transferred to [[Edison High School (Stockton, California)|Edison High School]] in [[Stockton, California|Stockton]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 6, 2013 |title=State Football Recruiting Roundup: Signing isn't close to guarantee for ultimate success in the sport |work=CalHiSports.com |url=http://calhisports.com/2013/02/06/state-football-recruiting-roundup-signing-isnt-close-to-guarantee-for-ultimate-success-in-the-sport/}}</ref> He finished high school at [[Vintage High School]] in [[Napa, California]], but did not graduate.