Merlin Olsen

Gentle Giant of the Fearsome Foursome

When the Los Angeles Rams drafted Utah State Outland Trophy Award winner Merlin Olsen they got one of the most dominant defensive lineman in football history. Quiet and unassuming Olsen spent his entire 15-year NFL career in Los Angeles as a major part of the legendary Rams defense nick-named the “Fearsome Foursome”. The great pass rusher Deacon Jones, who also played on that Rams defense, credits much of his own success to the fact that Olsen could occupy multiple blockers during the play allowing Jones to make plays. Named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls and 5 All Pro teams. The 1974 Player of the Year he played in 208 games. Selected to the Hall of Fame in 1982 he is also a member in the College Hall of Fame as well as the Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Chosen to both the 1960s and 1970s Pro Football Hall of Fame Teams he is considered to be #27 on the NFL’s 100 All Time Team.

After leaving football Olsen started a new career in broadcasting and acting. He worked for NBC throughout the late 70s and 80s and worked a little for CBS in the early 80s.

He appeared in several movies and was well known as Jonathan Garvey, a leading character in the long-running series Little House on the Prairie. Along with his other television appearances TV nostalgia buffs will recognize him on FDT Florist commercials of the past.

Merlin Olsen passed away in 2010 from mesothelioma.

Two of the better known members of the "Fearsome Foursome" Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen put the heat on Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Bob Berry.

Baltimore Colts great Jim Parker leads the way for running back Jerry Hill against Merlin Olsen and the Los Angeles Rams Defense.

From the New Orleans Saints first ever NFL Game played at Tulane Stadium in 1967. Rams Hall of Fame defensive lineman Merlin Olsen breaks through the Saints line to harass the Saints quarterback.

Unable to escape the clutches of the Rams defense, Saints QB Bobby Scott goes down.

From his days as a Utah State Aggie. The 1961 Outland Trophy Award winner is a member of both the College Athletic and Academic Hall of Fame

Rams Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen stacks up a full quarter of the NY Giants Offense.

Los Angeles Rams defensive front of the 1079s - Jack Youngblood (#85), Larry Brooks (#90), Fred Dryer (#89) & Merlin Olsen (#74).

Bills Quarterback Dennis Shaw backpedals frantically to escape the oncoming rush of Rams defender Merlin Olsen. All-in-all Olsen is credited "unofficially" with 91 sacks in his 15 year career.

Two longtime greats of Los Angeles Rams history - Merlin Olsen (#74) and Joe Scebelli (#71)

Colts quarterback Earl Morrall (#15) come under a heavy Rams rush led by Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen (#74)

Unveiled in 2010 at Maverick Stadium after his death.

Two of the most dominating defensive players of their time. Deacon Jones (#75) and Merlin Olsen (#75). They accounted for 16 seasons, 359 games 22 Pro Bowls, 10 1st Team All Pro selections and 250 sacks between with the Los Angeles Rams.

Noted for his incredible agility and speed as well as his strength, Olsen regularly tracked down ball carriers in the backfield for losses. Here he gets to Bills fullback Wayne Patrick on a pass in the flat before Patrick can make it back to the line of scrimmage.

15 seasons, 14 Pro Bowls, 5 All Pro selections

Down goes Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19) under the weight of Rams lineman Merlin Olsen (#74) and Rosey Grier (#76)

2 of the members of the Rams original Fearsome Foursome defense of the early 1960s. Rosey Grier (#76) & Merlin Olsen (#74). Grier was with the Rams from 1963 to 1966. Olsen was in Los Angeles his entire 15-year NFL career.

With half of the Rams Fearsome Foursome (Merlin Olsen (#74) & Deacon Jones (#75)) descending upon him Johnny Unitas has no where else to go but down to the turf.

Rams lineman Merlin Olsen (#74) and Deacon Jones (#75) pour into the Falcons backfield forcing quarterback Bob Berry to flee. Falcon #33 is runningback Jim "Cannonball" Butler of Edwards Waters University of Jacksonville Florida.

Colts - Rams in 1964. Colts Super Star Lenny Moore (#24) is held up by Rams linebacker Cliff Livingston (#85) as Merlin Olsen (#74) gets around the block of Dick Szymanski (#52) as it appears to bode unwell for the unprotected Colts runner.

In 1976 the Minnesota Vikings beat the LA Rams to take the NFC Title to go to their 4th Super Bowl. Here Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton gets set to handoff as Rams Hall of Fame defensive tackle looms large in the background.

Rams-Colts action from the mid-1960s. Merlin Olsen breaks through the line to wrap up Baltimore runner Tom Matte.

The Packers Bart Starr gets some heat from Rams Hall of Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen. Packer #75 is Forrest Gregg.

Half of the Fearsome Foursome of the LA Rams defense of the mid-1960s - Rosey Grier (#76) & Merlin Olsen (#74). Olsen was a 1st round pick out of Utah state in 1962 and Grier joined the Rams in 1963 after 7 seasons in New York. They were together until 1966.

Ram Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen closes in on the Eagles Tom Woodeshick around 1969.

LA Rams great Merlin Olsen stops a Falcon ball carrier. When Olsen retired in 1976 no player had as many Pro Bowl appearances as him. In his 15 year career he was chosen to 14 Pro Bowls.

One of the many brother-tandems of the NFL. Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen shown here with his brother, Phil Olsen of Utah State. Phil, 8 years younger, was a 1st-round pick of Boston but signed with the Rams and played 4 seasons in LA. He also spent 2 years on Denver.

Saints fullback Jim Taylor powers over behind center Joe Wendryhoski in 1967 season opener at Tulane Stadium. After 9 seasons in Green Bay Taylor joined the expansion Saints in 1967. His offensive line was clearly not of the calibre he was used to to Green Bay as he only managed 390 yards and 2 touchdowns. That's Ram Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen at the left.

Some Old School 1960s era action. Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen of the Rams takes on another Hall of Famer in Packers guard Jerry Kramer as legend Bart Starr turns to hand off to Donny Anderson.

Someone is getting the best of Merlin Olsen as he gets sealed off while Packer Bart Starr slips around. The Packer behind Starr looks like Bob Skoronski.

Rams Merlin Olsen and Coy Bacon bring down Lion runner Steve Owens - probably from the 1972 NFL season.

Merlin Olsen’s Unofficial Career Sacks
Year	Age	Games	Sacks
1962*	22	12	3.5
1963*	23	14	3.5
1964*	24	14	7.0
1965*	25	14	6.0
1966*+	26	14	4.0
1967*+	27	14	3.5
1968*+	28	14	9.0
1969*+	29	14	11.0
1970*+	30	14	8.5
1971*	31	14	4.0
1972*	32	14	10.0
1973*	33	14	7.0
1974*	34	14	3.5
1975*	35	14	7.5
1976	36	14	3.0
14-year career Rams		208	91.0