Merlin Olsen (1940-2010) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-11-2010, 01:35 PM

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Merlin Olsen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle who played his entire 15-year career for the Los Angeles Rams, has died at the age of 69, according to reports.

Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports that Olsen died early this morning. The Cache Valley Daily, a newspaper based in Olsen's hometown of Logan, Utah, reports that Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma and had been undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy.

Olsen played college football at Utah State, and as a senior in 1961 he won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best lineman.

In 1962 the Rams selected him with the third overall pick in the NFL draft and the Denver Broncos selected him with the second overall pick in the AFL draft. He chose the Rams after the rival teams from rival leagues engaged in a bidding war for his services.

Olsen was worth the money. He was chosen as Rookie of the Year in 1962, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 14 NFL seasons. He retired after the 1976 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982

Zoneboy · 03-11-2010, 01:44 PM

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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.

Mr. Television · 03-11-2010, 03:12 PM

This is so very sad. I remember him mostly from Little House and as an NFL announcer. R.I.P. Merlin.

catlover79 · 03-11-2010, 03:52 PM

I just heard that on the radio. How sad.

catlover79 · 03-11-2010, 03:53 PM

80sTrivia · 03-11-2010, 05:42 PM

So sad to hear of Merlin's passing...

Marvo301 · 03-11-2010, 05:57 PM

Melissa Gilbert called Merlin Olsen a gentle giant and one of the nicest men she ever knew. What a wonderful way for him to be remembered.

Marvo301 · 03-11-2010, 06:00 PM

Merlin Olsen

catlover79 · 03-11-2010, 07:32 PM

.

catlover79 · 03-11-2010, 07:40 PM

.

angiefan · 03-11-2010, 07:44 PM

I remember him from the flower commecials. I loved the wrestling episode of Little House. Big John Garvey. I also liked Crossed Connections where Harriet listens in on Alice garvey and her mother's conversation about her first husband. He was emotional in the May We Make Em Proud episode,after Charles said Jonathan Garvey! What are you doing,Man I love! He blamed God for the death for his wife. on A New Beginning,Andew blamed Adam and Mary for the death of his Ma,because She was the one to get Adam Jr. Merlin Olsen will be missed

angiefan · 03-11-2010, 07:46 PM

I forgot Father murphy

angiefan · 03-11-2010, 07:50 PM

I remember him as Jonathan Garvey on Little House on The Prairie and on the flower commercials.

JT · 03-11-2010, 08:11 PM

RIP

catlover79 · 03-11-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angiefan

I forgot Father murphy

The actress who played Mr. Merlin's love interest on Father Murphy, Katherine Cannon, eventually became Mrs. Dean Butler (Manly on LHOP)!

03-11-2010, 01:35 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,380	Merlin Olsen (1940-2010) Link Merlin Olsen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle who played his entire 15-year career for the Los Angeles Rams, has died at the age of 69, according to reports. Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports that Olsen died early this morning. The Cache Valley Daily, a newspaper based in Olsen's hometown of Logan, Utah, reports that Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma and had been undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy. Olsen played college football at Utah State, and as a senior in 1961 he won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best lineman. In 1962 the Rams selected him with the third overall pick in the NFL draft and the Denver Broncos selected him with the second overall pick in the AFL draft. He chose the Rams after the rival teams from rival leagues engaged in a bidding war for his services. Olsen was worth the money. He was chosen as Rookie of the Year in 1962, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 14 NFL seasons. He retired after the 1976 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-11-2010, 01:44 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,380	Merlin Olsen 1940-2010 Link 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.

03-11-2010, 03:12 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	This is so very sad. I remember him mostly from Little House and as an NFL announcer. R.I.P. Merlin.
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03-11-2010, 03:52 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I just heard that on the radio. How sad.
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03-11-2010, 05:42 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	So sad to hear of Merlin's passing...
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03-11-2010, 03:53 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376

03-11-2010, 05:57 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Melissa Gilbert called Merlin Olsen a gentle giant and one of the nicest men she ever knew. What a wonderful way for him to be remembered.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-11-2010, 06:00 PM	#8
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Merlin Olsen

03-11-2010, 07:32 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	. Attached Images

03-11-2010, 07:40 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	. Attached Images

03-11-2010, 07:44 PM	#11
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Merlin Olsen[Jonathan Garvey] 1940=2010 I remember him from the flower commecials. I loved the wrestling episode of Little House. Big John Garvey. I also liked Crossed Connections where Harriet listens in on Alice garvey and her mother's conversation about her first husband. He was emotional in the May We Make Em Proud episode,after Charles said Jonathan Garvey! What are you doing,Man I love! He blamed God for the death for his wife. on A New Beginning,Andew blamed Adam and Mary for the death of his Ma,because She was the one to get Adam Jr. Merlin Olsen will be missed

03-11-2010, 07:46 PM	#12
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Merlin Olsen[Jonathan Garvey] 1940=2010 I forgot Father murphy

03-11-2010, 07:50 PM	#13
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Merlin Olsen[Jonathan Garvey] 1940=2010 I remember him as Jonathan Garvey on Little House on The Prairie and on the flower commercials.

03-11-2010, 08:11 PM	#14
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	RIP
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