Merlin Olsen was one of the best defensive lineman Pro Football has ever seen and is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. He played his entire 15 year NFL career for the Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1976. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1962, an accomplishment that was, and still is very difficult to achieve for a defensive lineman. 
Merlin Olsen was named to the NFL's All Pro team 8 of his 15 years in pro football. Olsen was a member of the legendary "Fearsome Foursome", a nickname that the four members of the Rams defensive line was given in 1963 for their unyielding defensive play and the way that they terrorized quarterbacks of opposing teams.
After retiring from the NFL in 1976 Olsen went on to become an outstanding color commentator, teaming with Dick Enberg to broadcast NFL games for NBC. In 1982 Merlin Olsen was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame on a first ballot vote.
Even though Merlin was an intimidating figure both on the football field and off because of his large size, he was a very calm and collected person. He was a soft spoken individual and those that knew him best said that they never saw him lose his temper. He was a gentle giant of a man. Merlin Olsen died Thursday, March 11, 2010 at the age of 69.
