Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies at 69

[Hot Mega]

R.I.P.

SALT LAKE CITY – Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.

Utah State, Olsen's alma mater, said he died outside of Los Angeles early Thursday after battling cancer. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining, last year.

"This was the voice of a man who not only became one of our country's most decorated athletes, but also one of the most accomplished and respected people ever to hail from the state of Utah," said Stan Albrecht, president of Utah State.

Olsen was an All-American at Utah State and a first-round draft pick of the Los Angles Rams in 1962.

The burley giant from northern Utah joined Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier on the Rams' storied "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line known for either stopping or knocking backward whatever offenses it faced. The Rams set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/fbn_obit_olsen;_ylt=AhKIPVKojYu.0U3v1hY9vOhv24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTMzMTE3amoxBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzExL2Zibl9vYml0X29sc2VuBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDNARwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA3Byb2Zvb3RiYWxsaA--

 

[Lust]

beat me to it mega. was going to post this as well. though i didnt know much about him, i do know the rams were pretty ferocious back then. rest in peace mr olsen

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

He was one of the first football players I remember watching as a boy. It was hard to believe such a fearsome football player would portray a gentle farmer in "Little House on the Prairie." He was a decent play-by-play announcer, too.

Rest in Peace, Merlin Olsen. We hardly knew ye.

 

[assholebythedoor]

its a sad day in the sports world

 

[gunslingingbird]

R.I.P. Merlin :hatsoff:

 

[biomech]

It's too bad. RIP Merlin.

 

[maildude]

He was a Mormon. I didn't know that. Of course he went to Utah State.

 

[Jagger69]

This is sad news indeed. He was an original member of the dreaded "Fearsome Foursome" of the Los Angeles Rams back in the 60s....Merlin, Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosie Grier. What a D-line that was!

Mesothelioma.....ugh! Not a pleasant way to go. RIP Merlin.

 

[Jack Davenport]

Sad news indeed. I always liked him.