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

Merlin Olsen

Neil Leifer

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

Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

Neil Leifer

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

Merlin Olsen and Joe Wendryhoski

Neil Leifer

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

Merlin Olsen and Billy Kilmer

Neil Leifer

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

Roger Brown, Lamar Lundy and Merlin Olsen

Neil Leifer

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

Merlin Olsen and Bart Starr

Neil Leifer

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

Merlin Olsen and Johnny Unitas

Walter Iooss Jr.

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

Merlin Olsen

John G. Zimmerman

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

Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

Neil Leifer

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

Merlin Olsen and Tucker Frederickson

Neil Leifer

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

Billy Kilmer, Merlin Olsen and Larry Brown

Walter Iooss Jr.

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

Merlin Olsen, Conrad Dobler and Jim Hart

Walter Iooss Jr.

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

Merlin Olsen

Neil Leifer

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

Merlin Olsen and Dick Enberg

Heinz Kluetmeier

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

Merlin Olsen and Dick Enberg

Heinz Kluetmeier

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

Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

Peter Read Miller

Dec. 8, 1980

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

Peter Read Miller

Dec. 11, 1980

Merlin Olsen

Peter Read Miller

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

Merlin Olsen

John Iacono

Jan. 30, 1980 — Super Bowl XVII

Merlin Olsen with his son Nathan

Peter Read Miller

Aug. 1, 1994

Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

Walter Iooss Jr.

June 21, 2001

Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones

Walter Iooss Jr.

June 21, 2001