When Merlin Olsen — born in Logan, Utah — was an All-American defensive lineman for the Utah State University Aggies, people knew he’d have a big career in football.
But Olsen — who died Wednesday night at age 69, after battling mesothelioma for a year — was successful on the football field and beyond.
As an NFL star, part of the Los Angeles Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome,” Olsen was unstoppable. He still holds the Rams’ career record for tackles, with 915.
After he retired from the NFL, though, Olsen cultivated other careers. He was an analyst for NBC Sports. His gentle voice made him a natural spokesman for FTD florists. And he went on to be an actor, both on “Little House on the Prairie” and his own series, “Father Murphy.”
