After playing for the Detroit Lions for 13 seasons he was announcer for Monday Night Football from 1974 to 1976.
After leaving pro football in 1970, he began a very successful film career with starring roles in Blazing Saddles, M*A*S*H, Porky's and Paper Lion. Probably his most recognizable role in recent years was as George Papadopolis in the TV series Webster where he plays a retired football player turned instant parent. Here he is with the show's cast on the cover of TV Guide in 1984.
A 1st Round Draft Pick in 1958 he was an consensus All-American as well as the 1957 Outland Trophy award winner at the University of Iowa. He was also the runner up in the Heisman Trophy voting.
A 1st Round Draft Pick in 1958 he was an consensus All-American as well as the 1957 Outland Trophy award winner at the University of Iowa. He was also the runner up in the Heisman Trophy voting.
A 1st Round Draft Pick in 1958 he was an consensus All-American as well as the 1957 Outland Trophy award winner at the University of Iowa. He was also the runner up in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Sat out the entire 1963 NFL Season after being suspended for gambling on games.
Bengals quarterback Sam Wyche eludes Lions Defender Alex Karras
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Karras played 12 seasons in the NFL.
Considered by many to be one of the most deserving players not in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, he is a member of the Hall of Fame 1960s team. He was a dominate defense tackle during his 12 years in the NFL being named to 4 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro Teams.
Considered by many to be one of the most deserving players not in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, he is a member of the Hall of Fame 1960s team. He was a dominate defense tackle during his 12 years in the NFL being named to 4 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro Teams.
Considered by many to be one of the most deserving players not in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, he is a member of the Hall of Fame 1960s team. He was a dominate defense tackle during his 12 years in the NFL being named to 4 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro Teams.
Considered by many to be one of the most deserving players not in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, he is a member of the Hall of Fame 1960s team. He was a dominate defense tackle during his 12 years in the NFL being named to 4 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro Teams.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie under pressure from Lions great Alex Karras.
From 1964 after he had just returned from his 1-year suspension for gambling.
4 Lions greats from the early 1960s - fullback Nick Pietrosante, Middle Linebacker Joe Schmidt, Defensive Tackle Alex Karras & Quarterback Earl Morrall
4 Lions greats from the early 1960s - fullback Nick Pietrosante, Middle Linebacker Joe Schmidt, Defensive Tackle Alex Karras & Quarterback Earl Morrall
Some Old School NFL. Packers and Lion. Lion Alex Karras (#71) pursues down the line as Bart Starr (#15) pitches to Jim Taylor (#31) as the bruising fullback goes wide. Also pictured is Hall of Fame Offensive Tackle Forrest Gregg (#75).
The Lions 1st-round pick of 1958 - Iowa standout Alex Karras.
Lions greats Roger Brown (#76) and Alex Karras (#71) break through the line to stop Packers QB Bart Starr (#15) before he can do anything. In the background linebacker Joe Schmidt (#56) & center Ken Bowmen (#57) are locked in contest.
A Classic confrontation of the 1960s NFL - Green Bay Packer Greats Ken Bowman (#57) & Jerry Kramer (#64) battle against Detroit Lion legends Alex Karras (#71) & Roger Brown (#76).
Named to 9 All Pro Teams during his 12-year NFL carrier. Unofficially credited with 100 sacks.
All Pro Alex Karras leads the Detroit Lion defense as they close in on Packers QB Bart Starr. Also seen are Packers center Ken Bowman (#57) and Lion linebacker Ernie Clark (#59). Photo by sports journalist Rob Rigor.
Hall of famer Alex Karras (#71) takes the field with fellow Lion linebackers Wayne Walker (#55) & Mike Lucci (#53). Walker had 15 seasons in Detroit, Lucci had 9 as a Lions. Karras played a total or 12.
From an AFL/NFL exhibition game in 1968 - Lions defenders Alex Karras (#71) & Joe Robb (#84) close in on Jets quarterback Joe Namath. The Jets would come out on top in the end 9-6.
Bears rookie runner Gale Sayers is closed in by Detroit Lions defenders Joe Schmidt and Alex Karras in 1965.
Bears rookie runner Gale Sayers is closed in by Detroit Lions defenders Joe Schmidt and Alex Karras in 1965.
Rams and Lions, we think from 1961. Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord can be seen as the Lions defense blocks a Danny Villanueva kick. The Lions won this one by a score of 14-13. The other Rams here, if it is from 1961 are rookie Joe Scibelli (#71), vet Frank Varrichione (#70) and Lamar Lundy (#85). The other Lions here closing in could be Yale Lary at the far left, Alex Karras on Schmidt's right, and linebacker Max Messner & Night Train Lane diving in front of Villanueva.
Colts legend Johnny Unitas gets a moment of protection as tackle George Preas works to keep Lions threat Alex Karras away form his quarterback. Fullback Jerry Hill can be seen guarding the left side.
1963 Lions and Giants. YA Tittle turns to hand off the the Giants leading ball carrier in 1963 - halfback Phil King. Lions lineman Darris McCord and Alex Karras are ready to receive him. Giant #53 is veteran center Greg Larson who played 13 seasons in New York.
Detroit Lions great Alex Karras - it only took 50 years to get into the Hall of Fame.
Alex Karras leads the Detroit Lions defense in stopping a Chicago Bears runner as Karras bulldogs the ball carrier to the ground. The other Lions here look like #88, Sam Williams and #76 Roger Brown.
A great pic from the early 1960s - Bart Starr launches the pass just moments before the impending collision with Lions Hall of Famer Alex Karras.
Ram Les Josephson can't keep Darris McCord and the rest of that great Detroit Lions defense of the mid-60s converges on an unfortunate Ram runner. The other Lions here are linebackers Joe Schmidt and Ernie Clark. Alex Karras can be been in the background on the left.
Forrest Gregg can only look on hopelessly as his quarterback Bart Starr is surrounded by a pack of Lions. Alex Karras, Roger Brown and Darris McCord close in on Starr during the "Thanksgiving Day Massacre" of 1962 when the Lions handed the Packers their sole defeat of the season - a 26-14 on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions sacked Starr 8 times. Roger is reported as saying "I guess I got to know Bart pretty well out there today" after the game.
Detroit Lions Legend Alex Karras. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, 50 years after he retired from the NFL and 8 years after his death.
