Prior to his career as an actor, many knew Merlin Olsen as a professional football player with the Los Angeles Rams in the 1960s and '70s. After retiring from the NFL in 1976, Olsen embarked on a successful career as an actor and on-air personality, joining the cast of the popular series Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy. He would also act as pitchman for FTD and El Paseo Bank, in addition to hosting numerous Children's Miracle Network telethons. Olsen passed away in March 2010 at the age of 69.
Merlin Olsen
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- Won the Outland Trophy for the nation's best interior lineman at Utah State in 1961.
- Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Utah State.
- Was a first-round draft pick (third overall) in 1962 by the Los Angeles Rams.
- With Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier, made up the Fearsome Foursome, one of the NFL's all-time great defensive lines.
- Played together with his brother Phil on the Rams from 1971 to '74.
- Named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, beginning in his rookie season. Also named NFL MVP in 1974 by the Maxwell Club.
- Earned his masters in economics from Utah State while playing for the Rams.
- Retired from the NFL in 1976, signing on with NBC the following year to work as a broadcaster opposite Dick Enberg.
- Joined Little House on the Prairie in 1977 as Michael Landon's new sidekick Jonathan Garvey.
- Starred in his own series, Father Murphy, in 1981.
- Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
- Was commercial spokesman for FTD Florists.
- In 2009, Utah State's football field was named in his honor, Merlin Olsen Field.
- Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009, he sued NBC and other companies for allowing him to be exposed to asbestos. He succumbed to the disease in 2010.