Merlin Olsen

Merlin Jay Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American professional football player, announcer, and actor. Born in Logan, Utah, to Merle Barrus and Lynn Jay Olsen, both graduates of Utah State University, he spent his entire 15-year professional career as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 14 times, in every season but his last. As a collegian he won the Outland Trophy in 1961, awarded to the best lineman of the year in college football. He was later inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. Following his playing career, Olsen worked as a football announcer and pursued acting, portraying farmer Jonathan Garvey on Little House on the Prairie and afterward starring in his own NBC drama, Father Murphy.