Merlin Olsen

September 15, 1940 – Merlin Olsen, a Defensive Tackle from Utah State, was born. Olsen was an All-American in college and also the winner of the coveted Outland Trophy for the country’s top interior lineman.

At 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 270 pounds, Merlin was drafted as the number one pick by the Rams in the 1962 NFL Draft. With the Rams, he became one of the pillars of the “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line. Merlin won the 1962 NFL Rookie of the Year award and was an All-NFL recipient 6 times.

The National Football Foundation selected him to its College Football Hall of Fame in 1980, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined him in 1982.  Merlin Olsen went on to become an actor and an NFL broadcaster after he retired from the NFL.