Today is a dark day. Merlin Olsen, arguably the greatest all-time Ram (along with Deacon Jones) passed away yesterday in Duarte California. He died of Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure, which attacks the lining of the body's internal organs; particularly the lungs. Just a few months ago, he filed a pair of lawsuit against against NBC Universal and 20th Century Fox for exposing him to asbestos.
He was one of my personal heroes.
We knew he had been sick for some time. Bruce Smith invited Merlin and Deacon to his Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Both had to decline for health reasons, but it was understood that Merlin was in bad shape. The Rams honored Merlin Olsen this past season in St. Louis, during half time of the Houston Texans game in late December. It was understood that this would probably be the last time we would see Merlin publicly.
Of course, we all know that Merlin is on the short-short list of who is the greatest defensive tackle of all time. Only Joe Greene and Bob Lilly can stand toe-to-toe with him. Olsen was the rookie of the year in 1962, and was elected to the ProBowl in 14 of his 15 years in the league. He was inhumanly strong, and highly intelligent. He finished his Masters in Economics during his playing years with the Rams. Together with Lamar Lundy, David Deacon Jones, and Rosie Grier, Olsen gave us the Fearsome Foursome. This was a legendary defensive line, and one of the great nicknames in league history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, and is one of the best of the best enshrined there.
Although he was a flame throwing competitor, he was one of the truly good guys in the league.
He was also much loved in the 1970s as an actor. After he retired in 1976, Olsen took up acting and was featured immediately on Little House on the Prairie {an insanely successful show} as Michael Landon's big buddy Jonathan Garvey. A lot of women (like those in my family homestead) who had no idea he was a football player, loved Merlin in that role. He later had his own series called Father Murphy.
Merlin was also a tremendous color commentator on NBC's NFL broadcasts, partnered with Dick Enberg. He covered a lot of Super Bowls and Rose Bowls in this capacity.
He will be sorely missed.
