Some players are considered "throwbacks.'' Merlin Olsen was a glimpse of the future.Olsen, who died Thursday at age 69, came out of Utah State in 1962 as the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive tackle who was an athlete first in an era when most players his size were simply big bodies picked to stuff the middle and stop the run.
"He was way ahead of his time,'' said Gil Brandt, who in those days was in the first decade of a 30-year career as personnel director of the Dallas Cowboys.
"He was strong, he was fast, he was like the athlete of today back in 1962. He was as good as I've ever seen at that position. If there's someone better, I don't know who it is.''
He was also versatile post-NFL career.
Like John Madden, Olsen is remembered by younger fans as a broadcaster, teamed for most of his television career with Dick Enberg on NBC's top crew. He doubled as an actor, primarily on "Little House on the Prairie,'' one of the top-rated shows of the 1970s and 1980s. He followed that with his own show, "Father Murphy,'' on which he played a priest.
One of his classic lines on "Little House": "I don't know a thing about football,'' his character, Jonathan Garvey, said when he was asked to coach a youth team.
In fact, he was all about football.
He missed his first two games as a rookie in 1962 with an injury, then played 208 straight, making the Pro Bowl 14 consecutive times. He was a first ballot Hall of Famer, inducted in 1982, two years after he was inducted into college football's Hall.
He was the hub of what may be the best defensive line ever, the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" -- it also featured Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier, all of whom had their own personas. Jones, like Olsen, is a Hall of Famer and one of the best defensive linemen ever; Grier, like Olsen, became an actor and personality; and the 6-7 Lundy was the most athletic, MVP of both the football and basketball teams as a senior at Purdue.
Olsen used his intelligence as well as his physical skills to dominate opponents.
"Economics comes easily to me, and we all seek out what we do well in life. I had in mind becoming a businessman. And I was good at logic and reasoning; figures were comfortable inside my head." he said in a 1980 interview with Sports Illustrated. He saw the same economics in pro football -- charting almost mathematically the quickest route to the quarterback and making sure he left his mark.
Off the field, he was more like the gentle giant he played on television, polite and accommodating with fans, media and players. The logic and reasoning he discussed went into his analysis of games. There were none of the "Bang!'' and "Boom!'' calls to accompany replays the way Madden did them, but a reasoned, easy-to-understand delivery enhanced by solid homework -- long talks with players and coaches.
Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year. He had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
Next stop, Skyline Chili. RT @terrellowens: Okayyyyyy I got it now, 2 n's & 1 t! CINCINNATI!! LOL!
Report: Vince Young Avoids Suspension for Strip Club Altercation http://bit.ly/cUU4yV #nfl
Comments (Page 1 of 4)
A great man and football player, You will be missed but never forgotten
Olsen was a great actor, football player, and football announcer. He shined at all he attempted.
Merlin Olsen was great; VERY MUCH SO! He seemed to be a class act as well. But don't let his fame from his acting days, or sympathy of his unfortunate passing overshadow the accomplishments of the many other greats that have played the DT position. To answer the headline question "NFL's Greatest DT Ever?" The answer would be no. This takes NOTHING from Merlin Olsen, a true Hall of Famer. However, Bob Lilly, another Hall of Famer was the greatest DT ever. Lilly was and is very much a class act as well.
May he rest in peace, however he wasnt the greatest DT to ever play, that honor goes to Bob Lilly with Joe Greene right behind him. Dont take my opinion, even Deacon Jones proclaimed Lilly the greatest DT ever.
I agree. Great all around man. RIP
We lost a true sportsman today folks... RIP Mr. Olsen it was a pleasure and privelidge to have been able to see you on the field and off. The cleanest player at a time when rules were non existant.
MERLIN OLSEN ISN'T EVEN IN THE TOP 500.....DEACON WAS DRAWING DBL TEAMS GIVING MERLIN A CHANCE TO SHINE...VERY AVERAGE LINEMAN
YOUR COLD MAN...DID YOU EVER THINK WERE ARE WE GOING TO BUY FLOWERS FROM..HE WAS THE PITCHMAN..WELL MAYBE WILL SWITCH TO CANDYGRAM
thats why there's 11 players on defense because its a TEAM SPORT ....once merlin was out or deacon was out the supporting cast still did its job ....its like saying the old steel curtain in pittsburgh was all ...mean joe green & that those great lineman & linebackers had nothing to do with it ...he was a very good player and a very important part of the team ...amongst other achievements as well ! psssst I bet your not worth the sweat off his a-- !
Aglew, we are only here to say Rest in peace to Merlin, not to argue who was the best at what in football. Who cares. We lost a great actor and football veteran. Let it go and let him rest in peace. If he were your family member, you might find it highly offensive for people to come on here and try to cut him down. Just be nice. It costs you nothing.
How sad! you must be a politician! May he rest in peace. ONE LOVE!!!!!!
i must have missed you at the pro-bowl what team did you say you were on??
I assume you think you can do better agnew? Then why don't you take your azz out on the field, and prove better to be that of the top 500 DLB; hah you won't even come close
aglew Olson is much closer to being the number DE then you are to being the number 500 football intellect.
There wasn't ANYONE on that L.A. RAM Defensive Line that was average ..... they changed the game ....
"Like you know something".Gil Brant was one of the most knowledgeable football men ever in the NFL and he says Merlin Olsen was the best DT.
Bob Lilly, Joe Greene,and a few others rank right there with this fine man and football player.
RIP, Merlin Olsen. Thank you for your greatness in and out of football.
One last thing .... this was a man who represented the NFL with true class, authenticity, and dignity. You will be missed Merlin.
Pull your head out of your you know what and see the sunshine ; it also smells better out here !
WERE WILL I GET FLOWERS FROM..MAYBE I'LL SWITCH TO CANDYGRAMS
You are such a sad person. Trying to stir up wrath among people who will miss Merlin Olsen. He was a very good actor and football player. I am sure he was a great family man as well. We are here to applaud his life, not to act like a fool! So trade up and act like you have some sense here. We don't care where you buy your flowers. We are not here to argue with you. The fact is we are here to say: Rest in Peace Merlin, may God grant you a peaceful rest with Him.
I was a loyal "Little House on the Prairie" fan through the entire running of the show. Mr. Garvey, the character he played on the show, almost felt like a warm fuzzy uncle. He brought a sense of warmth and sincere compassion to the show, the roll, and at the conclusion of the episode, to me. What a sweet soul. May you rest in peace. God Bless!