RIP, Merlin Olsen - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

UKFlounder · 03-11-2010, 11:45 AM

I remember a little bit about Little House on the Praire and Father Murphy, but recall him mostly as a CBS commentator whom I really enjoyed. (Plus didn't he do commercials for FTD flowers?)

He was obviously also a heck of a football player before that too.

RIP, Mr. Olsen

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=4985470

Sea Ray · 03-11-2010, 12:12 PM

Sorry to hear that. I knew he was suing everyone under the sun for his mesothelioma including NBC. I think the suit is still on going

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/31/footba...ductries-sues/

SunDeck · 03-11-2010, 12:55 PM

I really liked his work as a football analyst. And it's always sad to hear of people dying from cancer. It's a hell of a way to go.

cumberlandreds · 03-11-2010, 12:58 PM

I'll remember him as a very good announcer with NBC. He and Dick Enberg made up NBC's number one team for the NFL for many years. He was also one of the Fearsome Foursome that was the defensive line for the LA Rams in the late 60's to early 70's.

Chip R · 03-11-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Sorry to hear that. I knew he was suing everyone under the sun for his mesothelioma including NBC. I think the suit is still on going

http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/31/footba...ductries-sues/

I had no idea he was even ill. Sad news.

RichRed · 03-11-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip R

I had no idea he was even ill. Sad news.

Same here. We're now down to the Fearsome Twosome (Deacon Jones & Rosey Grier).

RIP to another great voice from my childhood.

redsfanmia · 03-11-2010, 05:14 PM

RIP Merlin, I met him at the Rose Bowl a few years ago and he was a very nice quiet man.

Spring~Fields · 03-11-2010, 08:02 PM

I loved that guy. He always seemed to have such a wonderful and accomplished way about him, and his persona was such that it made me feel like I really knew him, even though of course I did not, then again, maybe we did.

It is sad that he has moved on.

BuckeyeRed27 · 03-11-2010, 08:57 PM

It's people like this that remind me how little I really do know about sports. I was born a little after Mr. Olsen's time and I'm going to be very honest I have never heard of him. I just finished reading some info about him and he seemed to be a pretty fascinating person.

RedsBaron · 03-11-2010, 09:12 PM

Man, I hate to hear of his death. He was a terrific HOF football player, an insightful and interesting announcer, and a decent actor, but he was also well read, considerate and thoughtful and always seemed to be a first class person. R.I.P.

Deepred05 · 03-11-2010, 10:01 PM

Very sad news. A class act all the way. HOF on and off the field. RIP my friend.

savafan · 03-12-2010, 08:53 AM

I remember him primarily from Little House on the Prairie, with some vague recollections of Father Murphy and his football announcing. RIP

Sea Ray · 03-12-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsfanmia

RIP Merlin, I met him at the Rose Bowl a few years ago and he was a very nice quiet man.

I've never met him but that's certainly the way I saw him. But what's so fascinating is that he was one mean football player. He was anything but Father Murphy on the D line

03-11-2010, 11:45 AM	#1
UKFlounder Go Reds Go! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern KY Posts: 1,825	RIP, Merlin Olsen I remember a little bit about Little House on the Praire and Father Murphy, but recall him mostly as a CBS commentator whom I really enjoyed. (Plus didn't he do commercials for FTD flowers?) He was obviously also a heck of a football player before that too. RIP, Mr. Olsen http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=4985470 __________________ http://www.civilwarobsession.com

03-11-2010, 12:12 PM	#2
Sea Ray Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 15,255	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen Sorry to hear that. I knew he was suing everyone under the sun for his mesothelioma including NBC. I think the suit is still on going http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/31/footba...ductries-sues/

03-11-2010, 12:55 PM	#3
SunDeck First Time Caller Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 5,228	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen I really liked his work as a football analyst. And it's always sad to hear of people dying from cancer. It's a hell of a way to go. __________________ Dusty Baker, second shooter. --Confirmed on Redszone.

03-11-2010, 12:58 PM	#4
cumberlandreds Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sterling VA Posts: 7,857	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen I'll remember him as a very good announcer with NBC. He and Dick Enberg made up NBC's number one team for the NFL for many years. He was also one of the Fearsome Foursome that was the defensive line for the LA Rams in the late 60's to early 70's. __________________ Reds Fan Since 1971

03-11-2010, 05:14 PM	#7
redsfanmia Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,453	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen RIP Merlin, I met him at the Rose Bowl a few years ago and he was a very nice quiet man. __________________ I was in the ORG once, best 6 months of my life.

03-11-2010, 08:02 PM	#8
Spring~Fields Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 8,630	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen I loved that guy. He always seemed to have such a wonderful and accomplished way about him, and his persona was such that it made me feel like I really knew him, even though of course I did not, then again, maybe we did. It is sad that he has moved on.

03-11-2010, 08:57 PM	#9
BuckeyeRed27 Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Culver City, CA Posts: 2,666	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen It's people like this that remind me how little I really do know about sports. I was born a little after Mr. Olsen's time and I'm going to be very honest I have never heard of him. I just finished reading some info about him and he seemed to be a pretty fascinating person.

03-11-2010, 09:12 PM	#10
RedsBaron Big Red Machine Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Out Wayne Posts: 22,381	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen Man, I hate to hear of his death. He was a terrific HOF football player, an insightful and interesting announcer, and a decent actor, but he was also well read, considerate and thoughtful and always seemed to be a first class person. R.I.P. __________________ "Hey...Dad. Wanna Have A Catch?" Kevin Costner in "Field Of Dreams."

03-11-2010, 10:01 PM	#11
Deepred05 Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 1,516	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen Very sad news. A class act all the way. HOF on and off the field. RIP my friend.

03-12-2010, 08:53 AM	#12
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,485	Re: RIP, Merlin Olsen I remember him primarily from Little House on the Prairie, with some vague recollections of Father Murphy and his football announcing. RIP __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

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