Merlin Olsen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Merlin Olsen was born in Logan, Utah, to parents Merle Barrus and Lynn Jay Olsen. He was the second of nine siblings and the eldest of three brothers. He attended Utah State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and a three-year letterman in football as a defensive tackle. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in finance in 1962 and a master's degree in economics in 1971. As a senior, he was a consensus All-America selection and winner of the Outland Trophy. The 1961 Aggie defense he anchored gave up an average of 50.8 rushing yards (leading the nation), 88.6 passing yards, and 139.4 total yards, all school records. The Aggies finished 10th in both the AP and UPI post-season polls, matching the school's 10th-place AP finish in 1960. Olsen was selected by both the Los Angeles Rams (NFL) and the Denver Broncos (AFL) in the first round of the 1962 drafts; he chose the Rams. He played for the Rams from 1962 to 1976, missing only two games in his career. 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 rookie season and his final year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, selecting his college head coach John Ralston as his presenter.

In Their Own Story

In 1963, Olsen joined Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy to form 'The Fearsome Foursome.' While Jones became the public face of the unit, Olsen often absorbed double or triple teams from offensive linemen, creating one-on-one opportunities for his teammates. This heavy lifting helped the Rams reach the playoffs in 1967 and 1969. In week 14 of the 1967 season, the entire Foursome was named AP NFL Defensive Players of the Week following a performance against the Baltimore Colts. By 1972, Olsen recorded 11 sacks, second on the team, earning Associated Press Defensive Player of the Week honors after week 8. The Rams dominated the NFC West from 1973 to 1976, leading the NFL in run defense in '73 and '74. His final game came in the 1976 NFC Championship against Minnesota, where a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by the Vikings set the tone for a 24–13 loss.

Reader's Guide

Olsen's professional career spanned 15 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year in 1962 and was First-team All-Pro in 1964 and 1966 through 1970. He was voted the club's Outstanding Defensive Lineman from 1967 to 1970. In 1973, he was voted the NFLPA NFC Defensive Lineman of the Year, and in 1974 he received the Bert Bell Award as NFL MVP. The Rams won the NFC West crown from 1973 to 1976. His last game was the 1976 NFC Championship, a 24–13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. After football, he worked as a television color commentator, teaming mostly with Dick Enberg on NBC's coverage of the AFC, and also acted in television series.

Did You Know?

• Olsen was cut from the basketball team in grade 9 and told by the coach that athletics wasn't for him and he should take up the arts.
• He turned down a football scholarship to Stanford University to play for Utah State University.
• His brothers Phil and Orrin also played in the NFL; Merlin and Phil played together for the Los Angeles Rams from 1971 to 1974.
• Olsen scored his first NFL touchdown in week 12 of the 1965 season, a game in which he was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Week.
• The Sigma Chi fraternity has an annual Merlin Olsen Day of Service named in his honor.

Early Life and College Dominance

Born in Logan, Utah, to Merle Barrus and Lynn Jay Olsen, Merlin was the second of nine siblings. His father served as a professor at Utah State University (USU), while his mother graduated in elementary education. The family was known for opening their home to host or tutor neighbors. Although cut from the high school basketball team in grade 9, Olsen became a three-year letterman and consensus All-America selection at USU. He won the Outland Trophy in 1961 and was named All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Newspaper Enterprise Association after his junior year. The Aggie defense he anchored set school records for fewest rushing yards (50.8 per game) and total yards allowed. In 1960, they held Idaho to a record-low 23 total yards in a 69–0 victory. Olsen graduated summa cum laude with a finance degree in 1962 and later earned a master's in economics in 1971.

The Fearsome Foursome and NFL Legacy

Selected by the Rams in 1962, Olsen chose the NFL over the rival AFL. He played for Los Angeles from 1962 to 1976, missing only two games total. Alongside Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy, he formed 'The Fearsome Foursome' in 1963. Olsen frequently drew double or triple teams, freeing up Jones for one-on-one matchups. His play helped the Rams win NFC West titles from 1973 to 1976, with the team ranking first in run defense in 1973 and 1974. In 1972, he recorded 11 sacks. He was named NFLPA NFC Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1973 and won the Bert Bell Award (NFL MVP) in 1974. Olsen made 14 Pro Bowls, missing only his final year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Transition to Entertainment

After retiring from football, Olsen became a color commentator for NBC's AFC coverage, teaming with Dick Enberg for four Super Bowls (XV, XVII, XX, and XXIII) and nine Rose Bowls between 1980 and 1988. He also worked Super Bowl XIII in 1979 with Curt Gowdy and John Brodie. In acting, he appeared as Little George alongside Rams teammate Roman Gabriel in the 1969 film The Undefeated. He made a guest appearance on Petticoat Junction in 1970. His character's son Andy once noted, 'My pa doesn't know anything about football!' After leaving the series, he starred in his own NBC drama, Father Murphy.

Enduring Impact and Honors

Olsen is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1982) and the College Football Hall of Fame. He was named to the State of Utah's Sports Hall of Fame and USU's All-Century Football Team. In 2000, Sports Illustrated listed him as one of Utah's Top 50 Athletes of the Century. The Sigma Chi fraternity established an annual 'Merlin Olsen Day of Service' in his honor. On December 5, 2009, USU announced plans to name its football field after him during a halftime ceremony. He was also named to the 75th Anniversary All-Sun Bowl Team in 2008 and voted to the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Time All-America team in 1969 alongside legends like Jim Thorpe and O.J. Simpson.