Merlin Olsen, who was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, died on Thursday morning at 69 years of age.
Olsen had been diagnosed with mesothelioma last year and had been undergoing chemotherapy.
Olsen was inducted in the NFL’s Hall of Fame in Canton, OH after a career spanning 15 years as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. He was part of the infamous “Fearsome Foursome” and also got 14 consecutive Pro Bowl nods in his first 14 seasons. He had been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982.
In 1994, Olsen was elected to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, along with defensive tackles “Mean” Joe Greene and Bob Lilly.
Olsen also belongs to the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 1980. In December, Utah State named its field at Romney Stadium in Olsen’s honor.
After football, Olsen worked on TV as a color commentator for NBC. He also had roles on Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy.
Related articles by Zemanta
- Former NFL star, actor Merlin Olsen dies (cnn.com)
- Merlin Olsen, Football Star, Commentator and Actor, Dies at 69 (nytimes.com)
- Former broadcaster, NFL Hall of Famer Olsen dies (timesunion.com)
- Merlin Olsen, Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman, dies at 69 (sports.espn.go.com)
- Rams great, Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies at 69 (cbssports.com)
Get Blippitt via RSS feed, Facebook, Twitter, Google+,
and be sure to get our Daily Email Broadcast.
