Sad Day.................
Merlin Jay Olsen (born September 15, 1940, died March 10, 2010<SUP id=cite_ref-Smith0311_0-0 class=reference>[1]</SUP>) was a former American football player in the National Football League and an actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Olsen was the first son, and second child of nine children born to Merle Barrus and Lynn Jay Olsen. He had three brothers and five sisters: Colleen, Clark, Lorraine, Gwen, Phil, Winona, Ramona, and Orrin. He was married to Susan Wakley (30 March 1962 - March 10, 2010). They have 3 children, Kelly, Jill, and Nathan. He is survived by four grandchildren.
His younger brother Phil Olsen played with Merlin with the Rams from 1971-1974. Three brothers, Merlin, Phil and Orrin, all played in the NFL. A nephew Hans, son of his brother Clark, also played professional football.
Olsen was a passionate fisherman, and enjoyed fly fishing the most. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009<SUP id=cite_ref-9 class=reference>[10]</SUP> and underwent three courses of chemotherapy. In January 2010 he filed a lawsuit against NBC Studios, NBC Universal, and 20th Century Fox for exposing him to asbestos<SUP id=cite_ref-10 class=reference>[11]</SUP>.
Merlin Jay Olsen (born September 15, 1940, died March 10, 2010<SUP id=cite_ref-Smith0311_0-0 class=reference>[1]</SUP>) was a former American football player in the National Football League and an actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Olsen was the first son, and second child of nine children born to Merle Barrus and Lynn Jay Olsen. He had three brothers and five sisters: Colleen, Clark, Lorraine, Gwen, Phil, Winona, Ramona, and Orrin. He was married to Susan Wakley (30 March 1962 - March 10, 2010). They have 3 children, Kelly, Jill, and Nathan. He is survived by four grandchildren.
His younger brother Phil Olsen played with Merlin with the Rams from 1971-1974. Three brothers, Merlin, Phil and Orrin, all played in the NFL. A nephew Hans, son of his brother Clark, also played professional football.
Olsen was a passionate fisherman, and enjoyed fly fishing the most. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009<SUP id=cite_ref-9 class=reference>[10]</SUP> and underwent three courses of chemotherapy. In January 2010 he filed a lawsuit against NBC Studios, NBC Universal, and 20th Century Fox for exposing him to asbestos<SUP id=cite_ref-10 class=reference>[11]</SUP>.