Merlin Olsen Pro Football Hall of Fame
Rams defensive tackle and Hall of Famer with 14 Pro Bowl selections.
Merlin Jay Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American professional football player, announcer, and actor. For his entire 15-year professional football career, he was a defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl 14 times — every year but his last. The only other football players to have matched or exceeded that number are Bruce Matthews, Tony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady, who is the only NFL player to have played more times in the Pro Bowl, with 15 selections.
Quick Facts
- First-team all-pro selections
- 5
- Pro bowl appearances
- 14
Lore & Background
Olsen played professionally for the Rams from 1962 to 1976. He was named the NFL's Rookie of the Year in 1962 and was First-team All-Pro in 1964, and 1966 through 1970. He was voted Second-team All-Pro in 1965, 1973 and 1974. He was part of the defensive line nicknamed 'The Fearsome Foursome' with Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy. Olsen made the Pro Bowl a then-record 14 times, missing it only in his final year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982 in his first year of eligibility.
Reader's Guide
Olsen's Pro Bowl selections: 14 total, missing only in his final season (1976). It states he was selected to the Pro Bowl 14 times — every year but his last. The claim about Tom Brady having 15 selections is directly from the source and is repeated here as given.
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