Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: rpm on March 12, 2010, 05:34:43 AM
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(http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Content/100308/News/Todays_News_Our_Take/4_thurs/100311merlin-olsen1.jpg)
Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman with the Los Angeles Rams who was a charter member of the team's famed Fearsome Foursome, then made a remarkably smooth transition into careers in broadcasting and acting, has died. He was 69.
Olsen died early Thursday at City of Hope hospital in Duarte in the Los Angeles area while surrounded by his family, his brother Orrin said. He had been diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.
Olsen played 15 seasons in the NFL from 1962 to 1976, all with the Rams. He was the Rams 1st round pick out of Utah State in 1962 and voted Rookie of the Year. He was also the league's most valuable player in 1974 and appeared 14 times in the Pro Bowl. After retiring as a player, he spent another 15 seasons in broadcast booths as an analyst for NBC and CBS and acted in such television shows as "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy."
With the Rams, Olsen helped popularize the star power of defensive linemen sacking the quarterback. The Fearsome Foursome of Olsen, David "Deacon" Jones, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy, a rare bright spot on mediocre teams from 1963 to 1966, used size, speed and skill to terrorize offenses.
"He was ferocious and fearless on the football field and then the other probably more important aspect of his personality was he was a true gentleman," said fellow Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood, his teammate with the Rams in Los Angeles. "We all know what a wonderful, tremendous football player he was, but he was so much more than that."
He was a gentle giant off the field and a very spiritual man.
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One of my early football heroes. Saw him play.
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:frown: RIP Merlin.
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Always liked him. He's from a day when the NFL had some class about itself. Nevermind......i just pictured Joe Namath :lol
Mr Olsen was a class act :salute
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fearsome twosome now...
deacon jones and rosey grier
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<S> Mr Olsen man i remember the fearsome foursome, he was a class act in and out of football
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Played the game hard and with heart. Him and Bob Lilly were two of my favorites. Sad to hear about this.
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there's something very cool about ex NFL defensive assassins who played the game at a completely higher more aggressive level......then retire and are very peaceful, soft spoken souls. Merlin of course...Bruce Smith comes to mind..and one day perhaps..Troy Palamalou (sp?)
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:salute