
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.
Bart Starr, Donny Anderson and Jerry Kramer of the Packers with Merlin Olsen of the Rams

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.
Merlin Olsen Rams, Jim Taylor Saints, 1967 NFL

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.
Brothers Merlin & Phil Olsen of the LA Rams

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.
Merlin Olsen, LA Rams Hall of Famer

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

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.
Rosey Grier and Merlin Olsen of the LA Ram Defense

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

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

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.
Fran Tarkenton, Vikings with Merlin Olsen of the Rams during the 1976 NFC Playoffs

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

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.
Merlin Olsen & Deacon Jones rushing Falcons QB Bob Berry

With half of the Rams Fearsome Foursome descending upon him Johnny Unitas has no where elwe to go but down to the turf.
Merlin Olsen & Deacon Jones take down Johnny Unitas

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.
Rosey Grier and Merlin Olsen of the LA Rams Defense

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

15 seasons, 14 Pro Bowls, 5 All Pro selections
The Rams Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olsen NFL

The Rams Merlin Olsen

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.
Merlin Olsen Chases Down Wayne Patrick of the Bills

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.
Deacon Jones with Merlin Olsen on the Rams Sideline

Unveiled in 2010 at Maverick Stadium after his death.
Statue of Merlin Olsen at the University of Utah State

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

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

Merlin Olsen Rushing John Brodie

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.
Merlin Olsen Rushing Dennis Shaw

Merlin Olsen Rams Defensive Tackle

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

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

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
Merlin Olsen-at Utah State

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

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.
Billy Kilmer Gets Pressure from Merlin Olsen | Saints-Rams 1967

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

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

Merlin Olsen rushing Roger Staubach