Merlin Olsen dies at 69

[TYLERTECHSAS]

I always enjoyed watching him play and act. He seemed like a gentle giant.



Reports: Merlin Olsen dies at 69


Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.
Utah State University assistant athletic media relations director Zach Fisher says Olsen died Wednesday night.
Olsen was an All-American at Utah State and a first-round draft pick of the Los Angles Rams in 1962.
He was part of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line, which set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968.
Olsen is still the Rams' all-time leader in career tackles with 915.
Olsen moved on to acting with roles in "Little House on the Prairie" and later his own series, "Father Murphy," which ran from 1981 to 1983.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.


http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...lsen-dies-age/

[BRDawg81]

One of my all time favorite NFL players. He will be missed.

[ddgravy]

RIP Merlin

[hoppinmad]

I always enjoyed watching him play and act. He seemed like a gentle giant.



Reports: Merlin Olsen dies at 69


Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.
Utah State University assistant athletic media relations director Zach Fisher says Olsen died Wednesday night.
Olsen was an All-American at Utah State and a first-round draft pick of the Los Angles Rams in 1962.
He was part of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line, which set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968.
Olsen is still the Rams' all-time leader in career tackles with 915.
Olsen moved on to acting with roles in "Little House on the Prairie" and later his own series, "Father Murphy," which ran from 1981 to 1983.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.


http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...lsen-dies-age/

...and if I remember right, a Rhodes Scholar. Rest in Peace Sir.

[olddog75]

Growing up in southern California, he was my man. A member of one of the greatest front fours in NFL histroy. The Fearsome Foursome.

[girldawg]

Off the field, he seemed so kind and gentle, but on the field -- watch out! He was a class act!

[JDubyadawg]

Maybe guys are always bigger when you are a kid but in those days I thought of Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Bob Lilly....I believed those guys were larger than life.

Merlin was also in a John Wayne movie....can't remember the name of it.

[dawg80]

Fearsome Foursome....Little House on the Praire....Mongo in Blazing Saddles!

Great player....an even better person.

[StrayDawg]

The NFL Network had several great clips of Merlin Olsen on tonight's episode of NFL Total Access. Steve Sabol had a nice piece, and Rosey Grier was a guest. From listening to Rosey speak, it sounded like he and Merlin and Deacon Jones were close friends until the very end. It also sounded like he had been supporting Lamar Lundy financially (at least partially) at the end of his life.

JDubya, I think that movie was called "Undefeated", but I'm not sure about that.

[hoppinmad]

Fearsome Foursome....Little House on the Praire....Mongo in Blazing Saddles!

Great player....an even better person.

I'm thinking Mongo was played by Alex Karras/Detroit Lions, but I may be wrong.

[dawg80]

I'm thinking Mongo was played by Alex Karras/Detroit Lions, but I may be wrong.

I think you are right.

[hookdown]

I think you are right.

He is.


One of his most impressive accomplishments...an Outland Trophy at Utah State.

[PawDawg]

Merlin was also in a John Wayne movie....can't remember the name of it.

Underfeated or Horse Soldiers??? The one with Rock Hudson as the Confederate leader. That one also had his teammate Roman Gabriel.

He may have been in a couple more Duke flicks.

[LABulldog]

JDubya, I think that movie was called "Undefeated", but I'm not sure about that.

Didn't one of the scenes featuring Merlin involve a fight on the banks of a river or something between the two "big" men (Merlin being of them) of the Union and the Confederacy?

[StrayDawg]

My memory isn't what it used to be, so I had to look it up. It's called THE Undefeated, and it starred Merlin Olsen, John Wayne, and Rock Hudson. LABulldog, I think you are right about the fight scene. It was a post-Civil War movie about a bunch of people moving to Mexico.