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Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen Dies at 69
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Merlin Olsen, a 1980 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and a 1961 NFF National Scholar-Athlete, passed away March 11 in Duarte, Calif. He was 69 and had been battling mesothelioma, a form of cancer.
Olsen was only one 22 individuals (and the first ever) to claim the elite status of being honored by the NFF as both a College Football Hall of Fame inductee and NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Born Sept. 15, 1940, Olsen grew up in Logan, Utah, attending Logan High School before enrolling at Utah State and lettering from 1959-61. An All-America tackle at Utah State, he won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman.
Following his college days, Olsen played with the Los Angeles Rams on the team’s “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line. He spent his entire 15-year pro career with the Rams, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl every year except for his final season. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
In both collegiate and pro play, he was known as a bruising, hard-hitting defensive lineman. But off the field Olsen was an intelligent and compassionate scholar, respected and admired by his peers.
Following his pro football days, Olsen went into television, starring in "The Little House on the Prairie" and “Father Murphy.” His acting skills also led to opportunities in sports broadcasting, and he was a longtime color commentator for NBC’s pro football and Rose Bowl telecasts. He also became known as the spokesperson for FTD florists in television commercials.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; their children Nathan, Jill and Kelly; and several grandchildren.
