Merlin Olsen, the legendary Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle who died early this morning at the age of 69, is being remembered in the football world as a great player on the field and a good man off it.
“Merlin Olsen was an extraordinary person, friend and football player,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “He was a tremendous Hall of Fame football player who then became an accomplished football broadcaster and actor. In recent years, it was an honor to work with Merlin on developing improvements for retired players. We all experienced how passionate and effective he was on that issue.
“He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him. Merlin was a larger-than-life person, literally and figuratively, and leaves an enormously positive legacy. On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our deepest sympathy to Merlin’s wife Susan and the Olsen family.”
Said Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom, “Merlin was the epitome of greatness, both on and off the football field. He was a Hall-of-Famer in every sense of the word, a legendary Ram who lived to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity.”
Olsen retired after the 1976 season, and fans younger than 40 might not realize just how great a player he was as part of the Rams’ legendary Fearsome Foursome defensive line. Gil Brandt, the former Dallas Cowboys personnel director, said a good case can be made for Olsen as the greatest defensive tackle in history.
“He was strong, he was fast, he was like the athlete of today back in 1962,” Brandt said, per FanHouse.com. “He was as good as I’ve ever seen at that position. If there’s someone better, I don’t know who it is.’'
After retirement Olsen became a respected broadcaster, teaming with Dick Enberg on NBC for many years and calling big NFL games as well as several Rose Bowls. He was also a commercial pitchman who served as the celebrity spokesman for FTD Florists.
Olsen is also being remembered today in the entertainment community, where he had a successful acting career after his football career ended, appearing on shows including Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy.
Olsen was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2009.
