Merlin Olsen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Merlin Olsen

Olsen with the Rams in 1974
No. 74
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	September 15, 1940 Logan, Utah, U.S.
Died:	March 11, 2010(2010-03-11) (aged 69) Duarte, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school:	Logan (Logan, Utah)
College:	Utah State (1959–1961)
NFL Draft:	1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
AFL draft:	1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (1962–1976)
Career highlights and awards
6× First-team All-Pro (1964, 1966–1970) 4× Second-team All-Pro (1963, 1965, 1973, 1974) 14× Pro Bowl (1962–1975) NFL Rookie of the Year (1962) NFL 1960s All-Decade Team NFL 1970s All-Decade Team NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team St. Louis Football Ring of Fame Los Angeles Rams No. 74 retired Bert Bell Award (1974) Outland Trophy (1961) 2× First-team All-American (1960, 1961)
Career NFL statistics
Games: 208 Interceptions: 1 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Merlin Jay Olsen (born September 15, 1940 – died March 11, 2010) was a famous American football player, a TV announcer, and an actor. He played his entire 15-year professional football career as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). He was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl 14 times, which is almost every year he played! Only a few other football legends have matched this record.

In 1961, Olsen won the Outland Trophy, which is given to the best lineman in college football. He is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Many people also remember him as an actor. He played Jonathan Garvey, a farmer, on the TV show Little House on the Prairie. Later, he starred in his own show called Father Murphy.

Early Life and Family

Merlin Olsen was born in Logan, Utah. His parents, Merle Barrus and Lynn Jay Olsen, both went to Utah State University (USU). His father was a professor there, and his mother was an elementary school teacher. Merlin was the second of nine children and the first son in the family. Their home was always open to friends and neighbors. They would often host, feed, and help people in their community.

When Merlin was in 9th grade, he tried out for the basketball team but was cut. The coach even told him that sports might not be for him and suggested he try the arts instead! But Merlin didn't give up on athletics. He later turned down a football scholarship from Stanford University to play for USU. His college friend, Ross Peterson, described him as a "natural, big, strong leader." Merlin's brothers, Phil and Orrin, also became football players.

College Years and Achievements

Merlin Olsen went to Utah State University (USU). He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He played football for three years as a defensive tackle and was a letterman. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance in 1962 and a master's degree in economics in 1971. He also received an honorary doctorate degree later on.

During his senior year in football, he was chosen as a consensus All-American, meaning almost everyone agreed he was one of the best college players. He also won the Outland Trophy that year. In his junior year (1960), he was also named All-American by several groups. He was an All-Conference player in both 1960 and 1961.

Olsen's college team, the Utah State Aggies, had an amazing defense because of him. In 1961, their defense allowed very few rushing yards (only 50.8 yards per game), which was the best in the nation! They also gave up very few passing and total yards, setting school records that still stand today. The Aggies' defense was so good that they held four opponents to less than 100 total yards. In one game, they held the University of Idaho to a record-low 23 total yards and won 69–0.

USU was not usually a national football powerhouse. But with Olsen, they finished 10th in the national polls in 1961. This was the only time in the school's history that happened. The Aggies had a great record of 18 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie during Olsen's junior and senior seasons. They were also conference champions both years.

College Awards and Honors

• Olsen played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1961 and was later voted into its Hall of Fame in 2003.
• He was also the MVP of the Hula Bowl after his senior season.
• He is in the State of Utah's Sports Hall of Fame and the Utah State University Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2000, Sports Illustrated named him one of Utah's Top 50 Athletes of the Century.
• He was a three-time academic All-American and graduated with honors in 1962.
• In 2009, Utah State University announced that their football field would be named Merlin Olsen Field in his honor.

Professional Football Career

After college, Merlin Olsen had offers from two professional football leagues: the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the AFL's Denver Broncos. He chose the NFL and signed with the Rams. His first contract was for about $50,000 for two years, plus a bonus. This was a lot of money back in 1962, when the average player made about $12,000 a year! He was the first player from USU to be picked in the first round of the NFL draft.

Olsen played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1976. He was a leading defensive star and only missed two games in his 15-year NFL career. He was named the NFL's Rookie of the Year in 1962. He was chosen as First-team All-Pro many times and Second-team All-Pro several other times.

At first, Olsen almost played on offense, but he soon moved to the defensive line. There, he became part of one of the best defensive lines in NFL history. In 1963, Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy joined Olsen on the defensive line. They were nicknamed "The Fearsome Foursome" because they were so tough!

Throughout the 1960s, this group was a nightmare for opposing teams. Olsen's great play helped the Rams reach the playoffs in 1967 and 1969. He was named the Rams' Outstanding Defensive Lineman from 1967 to 1970. In the 1970s, Olsen continued to be a dominant defensive tackle.

The Rams won their division, the NFC West, from 1973 to 1976, thanks to Olsen's play. Their defense was ranked first in the NFL against the run in 1973 and 1974. In 1974, Olsen won the Bert Bell Award as the NFL MVP, chosen by the Maxwell Club. He said he accepted the award for "all who toil in the NFL trenches," meaning all the hardworking players on the offensive and defensive lines.

Merlin's brothers, Phil and Orrin, also played in the NFL. Merlin and Phil even played together for the Rams from 1971 to 1974.

Olsen's last game was the NFC Championship game in 1976. The Rams lost to the Minnesota Vikings, which ended Olsen's amazing career.

Olsen made the Pro Bowl a record 14 times, missing it only in his final year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, as soon as he was eligible. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him 25th on their list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

Life After Football: Entertainment

After his football career, Merlin Olsen found success as a TV announcer, actor, and businessman.

He worked as a color commentator for NBC's football coverage for many years, often with Dick Enberg. They worked together on four Super Bowls and nine Rose Bowls.

Olsen also had a successful acting career.

• In 1969, he appeared in the John Wayne movie The Undefeated.
• He played Jonathan Garvey on the popular TV show Little House on the Prairie for several years.
• He then starred as John Michael Murphy in his own TV drama series, Father Murphy, from 1981 to 1983.
• His last acting role was in the TV series Aaron's Way in 1988.

Merlin Olsen was also the TV spokesman for FTD Florists for many years. He often helped host the Children's Miracle Network telethons, which raise money for children's hospitals.

Personal Life

On March 30, 1962, Merlin Olsen married Susan Wakley, who was also a student at USU. They had three children: Kelly, Jill, and Nathan. Olsen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Merlin Olsen passed away on March 11, 2010, at the age of 69. He is buried in San Gabriel, California.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles