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 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."
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Most people will recognize Merlin from his role in Little House on the Prairie. But I still remember watching him play as part of The Fearsome Foursome. He was the LA Ram's #1 draft pick in 1962 coming out of Utah State and became the NFL's Rookie of the Year. Later he became the lead color commentator for NBC alongside Dick Enberg. He was also the longtime spokesman for FTD Florists.
He was a gentle giant off the field and a very spiritual man.
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