Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen Dies at 69

[dabstudio]

Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" who followed up football with a successful television career in "Little House on the Prairie," NFL broadcasts and commercials, has died. He was 69.

Utah State, Olsen's alma mater, said he died outside of Los Angeles early Thursday after battling cancer. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining, last year.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement lauding Olsen as an "extraordinary person, friend and football player."

"He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him," Goodell said. "Merlin was a larger-than-life person, literally and figuratively, and leaves an enormously positive legacy."

Olsen was an All-American at Utah State and a first-round draft pick of the Los Angles Rams in 1962.

The giant from northern Utah joined Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier on the Rams' storied "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line known for either stopping or knocking backward whatever offenses it faced. The Rams set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968.

Olsen was rookie of the year for the Rams in 1962 and is still the Rams' all-time leader in career tackles with 915. He was named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, a string that started his rookie year.

Olsen was also an established television actor with a role on "Little House on the Prairie," then starring in his own series, "Father Murphy," from 1981 to 1983 and the short-lived "Aaron's Way" in 1988.

Olsen was a consensus All-American at Utah State and won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. The Rams drafted Olsen third overall in 1962 and he spent the next 15 years with the team before retiring in 1976.

Utah State honored Olsen in December by naming the football field at Romney Stadium "Merlin Olsen Field." Because of his illness, Olsen's alma mater didn't want to wait until football season and made the announcement during halftime of a basketball game.

Olsen was well enough to attend, but did not speak at the event. He stood and smiled as he waved to fans during a standing ovation and chants of "Merlin Olsen!" and "Aggie Legend!"

Utah State is also planning a statue of Olsen at the southeast corner of the stadium.

"This was the voice of a man who not only became one of our country's most decorated athletes, but also one of the most accomplished and respected people ever to hail from the state of Utah," said Stan Albrecht, president of Utah State.

The Rams also honored Olsen during a game Dec. 20, with a video tribute narrated by Dick Enberg, Olsen's longtime broadcast partner. Olsen did not attend because of his health. His name was already part of the Ring of Fame inside the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis along with other franchise standouts.

He was voted NFC defensive lineman of the year in 1973 and the NFL MVP in 1974, and was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

[Don]

Not being old enough to really remember him playing in the NFL ( All I knew about football centered around the Eagles at that time), my memories of him are from watching Little House on the Prairie.

[Duncan]

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Wonder what work he was involved in before his football career.

[Ehwmatt]

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Wonder what work he was involved in before his football career.

I love all the ambulance chaser commercials I see at night around here for that shit.

[KenTheDude]

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Wonder what work he was involved in before his football career.

I love all the ambulance chaser commercials I see at night around here for that shit.

They do it here in the Houston area also. The one commercial I'm really getting tired of is for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Houston has one of the best cancer hospitals in the country (MD Anderson) and CTC of A doesn't even have a clinic in Texas! You would have to go to either OK or AZ! Why would anyone want to do that when MD Anderson is right here in Houston? Didn't CTC of A do any research?

[Rockindeano]

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Wonder what work he was involved in before his football career.

I love all the ambulance chaser commercials I see at night around here for that shit.

haha, you mean Binder and Binder? Those fuckers who wear cowboy hats? The real cheesy fuckers, who say, "we'll deal with the government, you have enough to worry about."

[Ehwmatt]

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Wonder what work he was involved in before his football career.

I love all the ambulance chaser commercials I see at night around here for that shit.

haha, you mean Binder and Binder? Those fuckers who wear cowboy hats? The real cheesy fuckers, who say, "we'll deal with the government, you have enough to worry about."

Those guys are great, but we also have a couple of local clowns. One is a pretty big firm, prolly the biggest personal injury firm in town, they always have the weirdest fuckin lawyers in their commercial... then the managing partner's hair makes Trump look good.

Then we have another clown who looks like Uncle Fester, balder than a baby's ass... his slogan is "Call me... and I'll MAKE THEM PAY!" as he deadpans to the camera. Fucking hilarious. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc49azVb ... playnext=1

[Ehwmatt]

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Wonder what work he was involved in before his football career.

I love all the ambulance chaser commercials I see at night around here for that shit.

They do it here in the Houston area also. The one commercial I'm really getting tired of is for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Houston has one of the best cancer hospitals in the country (MD Anderson) and CTC of A doesn't even have a clinic in Texas! You would have to go to either OK or AZ! Why would anyone want to do that when MD Anderson is right here in Houston? Didn't CTC of A do any research?

Yeah that shit's annoying too... I was talkin about the personal injury plaintiffs' lawyers though. I'm sure you guys get that there too

[Rockindeano]

Yeah that shit's annoying too... I was talkin about the personal injury plaintiffs' lawyers though. I'm sure you guys get that there too

Yeah, Binder and Binder are Nationwide baby! They just scream sleazy.

[Don]

Larry H. Parker is the best.