Merlin Olsen Biography

Occup.	Athlete
From	USA
Born	September 15, 1940
Died	March 11, 2010
Aged	69 years

Merlin Olsen was an American football gamer, star, and sports analyst born upon September 15, 1940, in Logan, Utah. He is best recognized for his Hall of Popularity occupation as a protective tackle in the National Football League (NFL) and starring duties in different television programs, consisting of the popular drama collection "Little Home on the Prairie" and "Papa Murphy".

Early Life
Olsen was the secondly of nine kids birthed to Merle Barrus and also Lynn Jay Olsen. He matured in a tight-knit household on a ranch in Idaho and attended Utah State University where he was an achieved student-athlete. He gained a bachelor's degree in financing in 1962 and also later a master's level in business economics.

Football Career
Merlin Olsen's football occupation started at Utah State University as a protective electrician. Throughout his collegiate football career, he received multiple awards, consisting of being named a First Team All-American and also the Outland Trophy winner for the nation's top interior electrician. These achievements resulted in his selection as a first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 1962.

Olsen promptly developed himself as an important part of the team's storied defensive line, called the "Fearsome Foursome", playing alongside other tales like Deacon Jones, Roosevelt Grier, as well as Lamar Lundy. During his 15-year profession with the Rams, Olsen acquired an excellent 14 Pro Bowl choices and also 5 First Team All-Pro differences. In recognition of his exceptional accomplishments, Olsen was sworn in right into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Performing and also Broadcasting Career
Following his retired life from football, Merlin Olsen embarked on a new profession in acting and relaying. He started as a football commentator, providing his insights and proficiency to both NBC and CBS. Olsen soon discovered a passion for acting and also began appearing in tv programs and also flicks.

His most significant role came as Jonathan Garvey on the hit series "Little House on the Prairie" from 1977 to 1981. He likewise starred in his very own show "Father Murphy", broadcasting from 1981 to 1983. Additionally, Olsen looked like a visitor star in countless other television collection as well as showed up in a handful of movies.

Personal Life and Philanthropy
Merlin Olsen wed Susan Wakley in 1962, and the pair had 3 kids together. Known for his cozy heart and also generosity, Olsen was proactively involved in numerous charitable tasks. Amongst his lots of ventures, he acted as a nationwide speaker for the children's charity "The Pioneer Trails Foundation".

Death as well as Legacy
Sadly, Merlin Olsen passed away on March 11, 2010, at the age of 69 after battling mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer cells often linked to asbestos exposure. His life remains to be commemorated on the planet of football, in addition to in the hearts as well as minds of followers who appreciate and also remember his unbelievable skill as well as versatility on and also off the area. Merlin Olsen remains a long-lasting symbol of the potential for greatness in both sports as well as the arts, his legacy surviving via his achievements in the NFL as well as his contributions within the show business.

Our collection contains 18 quotes who is written / told by Merlin.

Related authors: Will McDonough (Writer), Bob Lilly (Athlete), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

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18 Famous quotes by Merlin Olsen

"Nobody cared about swimming. You could draw a crowd for basketball"

"Our coach was absolutely out of his head. He must have read Bear Bryant's book. We had 78 players out. The first day 35 quit. Twenty quit the second day. We ended with 17 players. It was depressing"

"One of life's most painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn't do our homework, that we are not prepared"

"I probably played hurt a lot more times than I should have"

"I bet I made close to 20 tackles because nobody on either side knew what they were doing"

"Our whole philosophy was to intimidate the quarterback. We were able to do it. We were pioneers. People still recognize us as, maybe, the best defensive line of all time"

"After a few games I knew I was going to be able to compete. The idea of being a star never crossed my mind"

"I can ski out of my back door"

"The basketball coach cut me within two days, so I was back in the pool. I was the first one in the wall after the first 25 yards, but the last one out because I didn't have a flip turn"

"Team doctors' jobs those days were to keep you on the field"

"Most exciting for me was to make the Pro Bowl in 14 of 15 years"

"It took me a while to realize that basketball wasn't football"

"I just wanted to be an athlete"

"I've caught fish as big as I am. I've caught marlin close to 300 pounds"

"I was captain and should have set the example. I would lift a minimum of weights. Mine was natural physical strength. I always thought quickness and agility were much more important"

"I was always the last one chosen for football games in Central Park"

"You are the land. The land is you"

"When a man lies, he murders some part of the world"