Merlin Olsen dies; NFL Hall of Famer became football analyst
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen, 69, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams who became equally well known after his playing days as a football broadcaster, television actor and commercial pitchman, died March 11 at a hospital in Duarte, Calif., outside Los Angeles. He had mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer often related to exposure to asbestos.
Mr. Olsen was the anchor of the Rams’ defensive line known as the “Fearsome Foursome,” an intimidating front wall that captured the imagination of fans in the 1960s and helped make defensive play in football as exciting and innovative as the offense. After his playing career, he was a TV football analyst for 16 years, had leading roles in the wholesome frontier dramas “Little House on the Prairie” and “Father Murphy” and was the longtime spokesman for FTD florists.