Former NFL great Merlin Olsen, a member of the Los Angeles Rams defensive front that earned the nickname "Fearsome Foresome" and who capably moved from his playing career (1962-1976) into television, died Thursday. He was 69.Olsen, who was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, worked as an NFL analyst for both NBC and CBS. During his time at NBC, he also had a recurring role as Jonathan Garvey on "Little House on the Prairie" and later earned his own lead role on the show "Father Murphy."
He worked five Super Bowls during his career (XIII, XV, XVII, XX and XXIII).
Olsen was suffering from a form of cancer, mesothelioma, which he said was from exposure to asbestos.