Merlin Olsen, a member of both the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame, died Thursday morning at the age of 69.Olsen had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009 and had since been undergoing chemotherapy treatments, according to the Cache Valley Daily.
Olsen was inducted in the NFL's Hall of Fame after a dominating 15-year career as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, where he was part of the "Fearsome Foursome." He earned 14 consecutive Pro Bowl honors in his first 14 seasons and was a six-time first-team All-Pro selection. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982.
In 1994, Olsen was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, alongside legendary defensive tackles "Mean" Joe Greene and Bob Lilly.
Olsen is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 1980. He enjoyed a legendary career at previously little-known Utah State. A two-time All-American (1960 and '61), Olsen also won the Outland Trophy in 1961 as the nation's top interior lineman.
In December, Utah State named its field at Romney Stadium in Olsen's honor.
After his football career ended, Olsen began work on television as a color commentator for NBC's NFL coverage. He also dabbled in acting, including roles on Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy.
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Comments (Page 1 of 12)
rip mr garvey
I hated him when we played the Rams. He won me over with his great role in Father Murphy. That was when TV was good for the soul. The world has gone to hell and Merlin is in a better place. RIP my good man.
That's right! Mr. Garvey was the best! I was a little too young to watch him on the football field, but he will live forever on the Hallmark Channel!
That's right! Mr. Garvey was the best! I was a little too young to watch him on the football field, but he will live forever on the Hallmark Channel!
Jonathan Garvey, Father Murphy, "The Man" Merlin Olsen... What A Class Act!... RIP... Sending Peace and Blessings to you and those you left behind...
thanks for the memories.
He is back with his twin brother as well. God Speed Sir.
Everything indicates he was a fine man...
Good announcer.
Merlin Olsen was the nicest person in real life. I had the honor meeting him at Old Tucson back in 1980s. (I was a teenage girl with big crush on MR, GARVEYS TV SON -Andrew -played by Patrick Laborteaux. Mr. Olsen was enormous in life and very nice to his fans. I think he was the CONROYS FLOWERS spokesperson too for a few years.... God BLess him and his family
He was a very likable man from everything I ever saw about him, and a warm charismatic actor on Little House. Rest in Peace, and condolences to his family.
Merlin Olsen did a little more than DABBLE in acting. He was a series REGULAR on "Little House on the Prairie" for several years and played the TITLE ROLE in "Father Murphy." Let us bid a fond farewell to a man who had TWO GREAT CAREERS!
He was also on the short lived tv show Aaron's Way back in the 70's. Loved that show as a kid. To bad it didn't last long.
ul59 I totally agree and couldn't have said it any better myself. He will be missed in the acting arena as well as sports.
that what i thought too he was a great actor
michael landon was looking for another hoss and found one in merlin
You are so correct...who in the hell wrote "dabble?" Perhaps some atheist.
Gary, what does being an atheist have to do with anything in this discussion? I was saddened to hear about Merlin Olson's death, and made sadder still by your inane comment. I'm perfectly respectful of other people's religious beliefs, but I don't happen to believe in any deity myself. In spite of what you may think, this does not make me a bad person.
One could argue that plenty of believers pay lip service to those beliefs and don't necessarily act the way their particular scriptures tell them to. But, unlike you, I'm not going to generalize about others. I can only speak for myself, but I try my best to treat others with kindness regardless of who they are and what they believe or don't believe. I'd ask you do the same. For me, that's just common decency though. Religion has nothing to do with it.
Merlin was a class act, rest in peace brother.
YES1
Hw was a good guy with class i wish player's of today whear like him no bull just a good guy like him on little house to R.I.P.