Television Star and NFL Legend Merlin Olsen Dies Ages 69
A sad day for NFL and Little House on the Prairie fans
NFL sage and tv star Merlin Olsen has died aged sixty-nine. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining, last year but lost his battle with the illness yesterday, March 11th 2010 at the City of Hope hospital located outside Los Angeles.
Merlin Olsen was best known for his career in the NFL. He played for the Los Angeles Rams between 1962 and 1976. In his fifteen season career, he missed only two games and was named NFL’s rookie of the year in 1962. During his football playing days, Merlin Olsen became part of one of the most well known front fours in NFL history. Along with Lamar Lundy, Deacon Jones and Rosey Grier, Olsen’s noted front four was nicknamed the ‘Fearsome Foursome’ and dominated football games throughout the 1960s. He made the Pro Bowl fourteen times during his career. In 1982, he made the Pro Football Hall of fame, and in 1999 was ranked twenty fifth in the Sporting News’ list of the 100 Greatest Footballers.
Aside from football, Merlin Olsen was also well known for his acting career. He starred alongside Michael Landon in Little House on the Prairie, in which he played Jonathan Garvey. Although this was probably Merlin Olsen’s best known role, he also took the leading role in Fathers and Sons, Father Murphy and Aaron’s Way. 1988 tv reveal Aaron’s Way was short lived but Olsen continued to work in television. He co-hosted the Children’s Miracle Network telethons and remained in touch with his treasure of football by becoming a commentator.
Melissa Gilbert, who starred with Merlin Olsen in Little House on the Prairie has only good things to say about him. On her Twitter page, she is reported to have said, “Honest heard about the passing of Michael Olsen. I am so sad. My heart goes out to his dear family. He was the sweetest, kindest men I have ever known. The personification of the Gentle Giant. Forever now, a guardian angel.”
Merlin Olsen leaves slow his wife,Susan and three children.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_Olsen
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/1/20100312/ten-gilbert-pays-tribute-to-olsen-c60bd6d.html
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Filed under Mesothelioma Prognosis by on Aug 19th, 2010. 