Tribute to Merlin Olsen: One of NFL’s greatest star

Filed in archive NFL on March 13, 2010

Hall of Fame player, Merlin Olsen died at the age of 64 after prolonged battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer last year and is survived by his wife, Susan and three children.

Merlin Olsen is credited with forming one of NFL's greatest defensive lines. He along with Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier were part of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" during the sixties. After the end of his football career he was involved in a successful career on television. He acted in several NFL broadcasts, commercials and TV series Father Murphy and Little House on the Prairie.

He was member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1982 he was named as the Walter Camp Man of the Year and Athlete of the Century for the state of Utah. Before his death Olsen was voted as the California Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

Merlin we will miss you man!!