Classic Photos of Alex Karras

Alex Karras, who would have turned 80 years old on July 15, 2015, was one of the NFL's most feared defensive tackles throughout the 1960s, a player who hounded quarterbacks and bulled past opposing linemen. And yet, to many people he will always be the lovable dad from the 1980s sitcom Webster or the big cowboy who famously punched out a horse in Blazing Saddles. The rugged player who anchored the Detroit Lions' defense and then made a successful transition to an acting career, with a stint along the way as a commentator on Monday Night Football, passed away on Oct. 10, 2012.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 17, 2012

Classic Photos of Alex Karras

Alex Karras of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes poses circa 1956.

Stan Wayman/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

Alex Karras stands on his chair while his Detroit Lions teammates dine as a part of his rookie hazing in 1958.

Alex Karras appears on the cover of SI, hurdling a player during the Detroit Lions game against the New York Giants on Oct. 5, 1964 in Detroit.

Alex Karras looks to sack Sonny Jurgensen during the Detroit Lions game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 3, 1965 in Detroit.

Untitled Image — Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated

Alex Karras looks on during a photo shoot on Oct. 2, 1970 in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Alex Karras appears on the Oct. 12, 1970 issue of SI.

Alex Karras recovers a fumble during the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 26, 1970 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Alex Karras poses for a portrait circa 1971.

Alex Karras appears in the segment "Love and the Eskimo's Wife" on the comedy series Love, American Style, which aired on Dec. 3, 1971.

Alex shall forever be remembered for his role in Mel Brooks's 1974 film Blazing Saddles, in which he played a hulking, dim-witted creature with an indisposition toward equine stand-ins, and one great line: "Mongo only pawn in game of life."

Alex Karras poses with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford on June 24, 1975 to promote Monday Night Football.

Alex Karras poses with a mic on Nov. 24, 1976 while working as a commentator for Monday Night Football.

Host Alex Karras stands with Billy Crystal, in character as "Fernando," and musical guest Tina Turner during a rehearsal for Saturday Night Live on Jan. 31, 1985 in New York City.

Host Alex Karras talks during the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live on Feb. 2, 1985 in New York City.

1985-Alex-Karras Billy-Crystal-SNL_0.jpg — Al Levine/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Host Alex Karras, as Captain Lou Albano, and Billy Crystal, as Little Caesar, perform during the "Tuesday Night Titans" skit on Saturday Night Live on Feb. 2, 1985 in New York City.