Classic SI Photos of Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olson, a fearsome Hall of Fame defensive end who later became famed for his gentle-giant roles on television, was born 76 years ago on Sept. 15, 1940. He died from cancer at the age of 69 in 2010​. Olsen was one-fourth of the "Fearsome Foursome" — a famed defensive unit that consisted of he, Deacon Jones, Roosevelt Grier and Lamar Lundy. During his 15-year NFL career he was a 14-time Pro Bowler and missed only two games. Olsen's post-football career including acting on TV's Little House on the Prairie and as the title role in Father Murphy. He was also a longtime NFL broadcaster and served as a popular commercial spokesperson.
Classic SI Photos of Merlin Olsen
Classic SI Photos of Merlin Olsen /

Classic SI Photos of Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olsen

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Neil Leifer

Sept. 17, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

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Neil Leifer

Sept. 17, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

Merlin Olsen and Joe Wendryhoski

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Neil Leifer

Sept. 17, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

Merlin Olsen and Billy Kilmer

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Neil Leifer

Sept. 17, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

Roger Brown, Lamar Lundy and Merlin Olsen

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Neil Leifer

Sept. 17, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

Merlin Olsen and Bart Starr

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Neil Leifer

Dec. 9, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers

Merlin Olsen and Johnny Unitas

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Walter Iooss Jr

Dec. 17, 1967 — Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Colts

Merlin Olsen

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John G. Zimmerman

Dec. 1, 1968 — Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings

Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

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Neil Leifer

Dec. 1, 1968 — Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings

Merlin Olsen and Tucker Frederickson

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Neil Leifer

Dec. 20, 1970 — Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Giants

Billy Kilmer, Merlin Olsen and Larry Brown

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Walter Iooss Jr

Dec. 22, 1974 — Los Angeles Rams vs. Washington Redskins

Merlin Olsen, Conrad Dobler and Jim Hart

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Walter Iooss Jr

Dec. 27, 1975 — Los Angeles Rams vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Merlin Olsen

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Neil Leifer

Dec. 27, 1975 — Los Angeles Rams vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Merlin Olsen and Dick Enberg

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Heinz Kluetmeier

Nov. 16, 1980 — Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

Merlin Olsen and Dick Enberg

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Heinz Kluetmeier

Nov. 16, 1980 — Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

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Peter Read Miller

Dec. 8, 1980

Merlin Olsen with his wife Susan, son Nathan, and daughters Jill and Kelly

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Peter Read Miller

Dec. 11, 1980

Merlin Olsen

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Peter Read Miller

Dec. 15, 1980 — "Little House on the Prairie"

Merlin Olsen

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John Iacono

Jan. 30, 1980 — Super Bowl XVII

Merlin Olsen with his son Nathan

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Peter Read Miller

Aug. 1, 1994

Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

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Walter Iooss Jr

June 21, 2001

Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

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Walter Iooss Jr

June 21, 2001


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