Zoneboy
03-11-2010, 01:44 PM
Link (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/03/merlin-olsen-dies-hall-of-famer-was-69/1)
The Fearsome Foursome has lost one of its members. Merlin Olsen, a Pro Bowler in 14 of his 15 seasons as a defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, has died at the age of 69.
Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009 and had undergone chemotherapy. The turf at the football stadium at Utah State, where he was an Outland Trophy winner, recently was named Merlin Olsen Field.
Olsen missed only two games in his career, and shared the Fearsome Foursome billing with Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy. In 1999 Sports Illustrated ranked him No. 25 on its list of 100 greatest NFL players.
He also had a successful career in television, as Michael Landon's sidekick on Little House on the Prairie, and as a masquerading priest in Father Murphy.
The Fearsome Foursome has lost one of its members. Merlin Olsen, a Pro Bowler in 14 of his 15 seasons as a defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, has died at the age of 69.
Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009 and had undergone chemotherapy. The turf at the football stadium at Utah State, where he was an Outland Trophy winner, recently was named Merlin Olsen Field.
Olsen missed only two games in his career, and shared the Fearsome Foursome billing with Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy. In 1999 Sports Illustrated ranked him No. 25 on its list of 100 greatest NFL players.
He also had a successful career in television, as Michael Landon's sidekick on Little House on the Prairie, and as a masquerading priest in Father Murphy.