Merlin Olsen Passes Away

I just heard on the radio that Merlin Olsen died.  He was 69.  No other details about his death were given.

An article from the San Francisco paper. He had a form of cancer that is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. :-(

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/03/11/sports/s084610S39.DTL&tsp=1

I just heard. 69 is just too young. I am so very sorry to hear this ....he was a wonderful man. I am so glad that he has been honored by his homestate several times this past year. I didn't even realize he'd been ill.

Wow... sad

Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies at 69

Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" who followed up football with a successful television career in "Little House on the Prairie," NFL broadcasts and commercials, 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.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement lauding Olsen as an "extraordinary person, friend and football player."

"He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him," Goodell said. "Merlin was a larger-than-life person, literally and figuratively, and leaves an enormously positive legacy."

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

The 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.

Olsen was rookie of the year for the Rams in 1962 and is still the Rams' all-time leader in career tackles with 915. He was named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, a string that started his rookie year.

Olsen was also an established television actor with a role on "Little House on the Prairie," then starring in his own series, "Father Murphy," from 1981 to 1983 and the short-lived "Aaron's Way" in 1988.

Olsen was a consensus All-American at Utah State and won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman. The Rams drafted Olsen third overall in 1962 and he spent the next 15 years with the team before retiring in 1976.

Utah State honored Olsen in December by naming the football field at Romney Stadium "Merlin Olsen Field." Because of his illness, Olsen's alma mater didn't want to wait until football season and made the announcement during halftime of a basketball game.

Olsen was well enough to attend, but did not speak at the event. He stood and smiled as he waved to fans during a standing ovation and chants of "Merlin Olsen!" and "Aggie Legend!"

Utah State is also planning a statue of Olsen at the southeast corner of the stadium.

"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.

The Rams also honored Olsen during a game Dec. 20, with a video tribute narrated by Dick Enberg, Olsen's longtime broadcast partner. Olsen did not attend because of his health. His name was already part of the Ring of Fame inside the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis along with other franchise standouts.

He was voted NFC defensive lineman of the year in 1973 and the NFL MVP in 1974, and was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Oh no! I'm so sad. He was such a sweet loving man. Prayer go out to his family.

Oh my word, I didn't even know he was sick. How very sad. Thanks for letting us know.

I was just reading Misti's post on this too. How sad. He was young.

very sad news my thoughts are with his family and friends

Very sad. 69 is way too young. I loved watching him on LHOTP. He had such an accomplished football career.

SO sad to hear this news. Merlin played such a great character in Little House and I believe he was aa sincere gentleman on and off the set. Thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.

That really sucks! I am so sad.

That’s very sad, RIP Merlin. My thoughts are with his family.

Sad news indeed. I didn't know he was ill. I don't remember his playing career, but he was great as an analyst on NBC's NFL coverage, and he did a great job playing the character Jonathan Garvey. NBC had a report on tonight's news, including a brief statement by Melissa Gilbert. I was going to post a link to it, but it appears NBC has taken it down from their web site. I found the link, but when I tried to play it, it said, "Video no longer available."

I'm very slowly making my way through the LHotP DVDs, at the pace of about one or two episodes a week. I'm only in season 1 now and like watching the episodes in order, but I think I'll pull out one of the Merlin Olsen episodes, like "The High Cost of Being Right", to watch tomorrow.

I just read about this, so sad! This link has 3 pics of him..

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/11/merlin.olsen/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Neat pics. Thanks, Andrea.

I found out as a result of a google alert on my. Michael Landon topics. Whenever there is any news about Michael or other related stories, I receive these topics sent to my email account. I was very sad to hear the news. A hall of fame football star and a very good actor somewhat underrated. He was part of the fearsome foursome as a. Los Angeles Rams player, and a gentle giant off the field. So glad his good friend Michael Landon brought him to the prairie and then created. Father Murphy for him , which I also have on dvd.

I read about Merlin Olsen's passing also. Such sad news. He was a good man. R.I.P.

Rest in peace, Merlin Olsen. "Father Murphy" was a terrific series, and I watched the pilot episode as a tribute after learning of his passing. As for his connection to "Little House on the Prairie," my favorite Merlin Olsen episode is "The King is Dead".

Eric, who is a huge LHOP fan, made this tribute video of Merlin Olsen.