i just heard Merlin Olsen has died..

[mde8352gorams]

I was fortunate to see Merlin play in his heyday and the great level of athleticism he displayed on every play. He should never be forgotten for the winning effort he contributed.

My respects to a genuinely great Ram.

[Ramkokopelli]

Am appalled the Rams have nothing up on their site yet. They honored him last season, they knew the possibility, this should have been a no-brainer so ultimately simple for them!!!

[BIG-BLUE]

Very very sad news The Fearsome Foursome is the reason I am a Rams fan.
R.I.P Merlin

[IronRam]

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet him years ago when the Rams were still in L.A., even though I was still only a kid. I remember him being a very classy guy.

R.I.P. #74.

[Keenum]

One heck of a player, may he rest in peace.

[ramstiles]

RIP merlin one of our greats

[Truth]

I am truly, truly saddened by this. Merlin Olsen was one of my biggest childhood heros.

[general counsel]

Like Truth, Olsen was one of my childhood heroes as well. In all liklihood, one of the five greatest players in the history of the franchise. Olsen enjoyed extraordinary respect from his peers. He was a true gentleman on and off the field. A fiery competitor in the extreme, but never a dirty player.

I had a conversation two years ago with Bill Nelson, a former ram who played with Olsen. He made a big point of stressing how deacon jones got a ton of publicity for all the sacks, but most fans never realized that Olsen's ability to essentially protect both the tackle and the end spot against the run made it possible for deacon to rush the qb with reckless abandon.

Ramming speed to Merlin and his family, RIP

general counsel

[Truth]

Am appalled the Rams have nothing up on their site yet. They honored him last season, they knew the possibility, this should have been a no-brainer so ultimately simple for them!!!

I just spoke with the Rams office. They said it will take them at least 24hrs to get something up on the site. The person I spoke with assured me it would be a very fitting tribute.

I did express my dismay that the story was everywhere except on the Rams site. I told them that some sort of acknowledgement of his death, followed by "come back tomorrow for a more in depth story", or something of that nature would be nice. Not sure how that went over.

If you are truly annoyed that nothing is on the site, call the Rams at 314-982-7267

[rayzorram]

Like Truth, Olsen was one of my childhood heroes as well. In all liklihood, one of the five greatest players in the history of the franchise. Olsen enjoyed extraordinary respect from his peers. He was a true gentleman on and off the field. A fiery competitor in the extreme, but never a dirty player.

I had a conversation two years ago with Bill Nelson, a former ram who played with Olsen. He made a big point of stressing how deacon jones got a ton of publicity for all the sacks, but most fans never realized that Olsen's ability to essentially protect both the tackle and the end spot against the run made it possible for deacon to rush the qb with reckless abandon.

Ramming speed to Merlin and his family, RIP

general counsel

In reading of the news I was immediately was transported back to my early years at age 10 when my father would take me to the Coliseum to see the Rams/ Merlin Olsen play at the Coliseum. My father worked with rams wide receiver Jack Snow's dad. I will forever cherish a signed Riddell helmut of all the Fearsome Foursome. I just realized that Both Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen are on the same side of the signed helmut. PROUD TO BE A RAMS FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bing69]

RIP big man

[RebelYell]

I'd send flowers but I'm guessing he's going to have more than enough.

[poejoe8]

Pretty good footage from Merlin's playing days in LA:

YouTube - Merlin Olsen

[MoonJoe]

Great man, great player and a sad day. That leaves us two left out of the Fearsome Foursome. I hope the Rams do another great tribute on opening day.

May God bless #74 and get out of the way, because he's coming through!!

[ram3057]

Just heard the news. Sad day for RAMS fans. Merlin Olsen was an outstanding individual and his football accomplishments were just part of his remarkable life....