Dave Pear's Blog

There were few people who didn’t like Merlin Olsen. He passed away early today in Salt Lake City at the age of 69 after a long battle with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs.

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Merlin was a class act and his talents went beyond the football field. He remained a familiar face announcing games for years after playing the game. And he was a Hall of Famer. After playing in Super Bowl XV in 1981, I remember Merlin as one of the announcers! Olson also went on to successful acting career in such television series like Little House on the Prairie. Here are a couple of lead stories in today’s news: Click HERE and HERE.

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And here’s a video tribute to the Fearsome Foursome:

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7 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

1. Laurie
   March 11th, 2010 at 1:25 pm #

   Godspeed Merlin Olsen…

   Just recently found this blog. It is a travesty what is happening to many of my childhood heroes.

   Thank you for speaking up!

   Laurie

2. Irv Cross
   March 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm #

   
   Laurie:

   Merlin and I were teammates in Los Angeles from 1966-68. He was a fabulous football player, highly intelligent, gentle when he needed to be, and a devoted family man. The “Fearsome Foursome” is arguably the best defensive line ever. As a defensive back in the Rams’ secondary, I always felt safe with Oley on the field. I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Olsen family, while at the same time I know he is in the safest place of all.

   Irv Cross
   1961 – 1969
   Philadelphia Eagles & LA Rams

3. RobertinSeattle
   March 11th, 2010 at 5:56 pm #

   
   Holy cow! Turns out that according to Beckett, there were 338 different collectors’ football cards for Merlin Olsen, with the majority of them issued after he retired from the game!

   You can check out some of them on this collectors’ site – click HERE.

4. Brandi Winans
   March 11th, 2010 at 7:41 pm #

   
   Merlin was an Icon, a gentleman and one of a kind. My prayers go out to his family. He will be missed.

   Brandi Winans

5. Gregg Bingham
   March 11th, 2010 at 11:33 pm #

   
   Merlin and I had many great chats over the years I played… he was always the consummate gentleman. What a great man!!!

   Gregg Bingham
   Houston Oilers
   1973 -1984

6. Frederick 'Rick' Hayes
   March 12th, 2010 at 1:13 am #

   My last encounter with Merlin was as a ripe Rookie in 1974 while at the L.A. Rams training camp. We were sharing a cart ride to the training room from practice after both suffering leg injuries during the afternoon’s practice. I was naturally speechless to be in his company. Merlin jokingly broke the silence by asking me to sing the University of Washington Fight Song to him [His favorite due to the wording of "bowing down"]. Merlin claimed I owed it to him since in his presence, I would avoid the infamous Chuck Knox self-perceived scolding Coal Miner stare down to injured players. Merlin howled when I botched the wording of the song.

   Merlin Olsen was truly the Ultimate Gentle Giant as shown by being so kind to a Rookie. I will treasure the brief private moment I spent with the best DT to ever play the game.

   Aloha No Merlin
   Rick Hayes
   L.A. Rams 1974
   UW Huskies 1969-1973
   

7. Brett Shepherd
   March 12th, 2010 at 5:03 am #

   
   This is a loss felt by the Los Angeles Rams nation. Thanks for the memories, Mulley. Hey, the defense in heaven needed another d-lineman and they chose the best.

   Brett Shepherd
   LA RAMS Fan in Atlanta