Merlin Olsen, a bearded, gentle-giant Pro Football Hall of Famer who went on to a successful TV career as an actor, announcer, host and pitchman, died Thursday of cancer near Los Angeles. He was 69.
He was diagnosed last year with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining.
Olsen played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted the All-American defensive lineman from Utah State with the third overall pick in 1962. A member of the defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome -- with Rosey Grier, Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy -- that helped glamorize defensive players, he was named rookie of the year, went to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, was voted NFL Mvp in 1974 and remains the franchise leader in tackles with 915.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday lauded Olsen as an "extraordinary person, friend and football player."
"He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him,...
He was diagnosed last year with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining.
Olsen played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted the All-American defensive lineman from Utah State with the third overall pick in 1962. A member of the defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome -- with Rosey Grier, Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy -- that helped glamorize defensive players, he was named rookie of the year, went to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, was voted NFL Mvp in 1974 and remains the franchise leader in tackles with 915.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday lauded Olsen as an "extraordinary person, friend and football player."
"He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him,...
- 3/11/2010
- by By Erik Pedersen
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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