Merlin Olsen's SURPRISING Journey from Athlete to TV Star

Discover the surprising journey of Merlin Olsen from top NFL athlete to TV star on shows like "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy".
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This video is not intended for children under the age of 14. Quite frankly, kids...I'm just some random old dude talking about nostalgic TV and movie stuff from a really long time ago and I highly doubt that it is going to interest you.
#classictv #thegoodstuff #davesundstrom

[@katemaloney4296]

Dave, I can't believe that you forgot to mention that Merle was the FTD spokesman for like forever!

[@jdsundstrom]

I can't believe I forgot that either!

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

I always liked the characters he played, he was a big man with a heart of gold and it seems that is true for his real life as well. Thank you Dave for this video

[@jdsundstrom]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Bridget.

[@sekenamcmurren2217]

I always thought of Merlin Olsen as a gentle giant Dave. 🙋🗽🍎

[@jdsundstrom]

Me too.

[@chuckinnc4184]

Thanks for the memories, Dave! I've always loved Merlin Olsen since, like you, I was first introduced to him as Jonathan Garvey on Little House. Later, I learned about his football career and, since I love The Duke, was blown away to see him on The Undefeated. I also love the NFL and always loved it when he was on a broadcast back in the day.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks so much for sharing your memories!

[@FrancescaA00]

I’ve never seen his other roles but I loved him on Little House.

[@ERASEREPLACEPLACE]

From "Father Murphy" STRANGER (seeing the canine positioned near Merlin): what's that dog's name? MERLIN: His name is MINE.

[@jdsundstrom]

Love it!

[@TogetherEvery1AchievesMore]

#TogetherEvery1AchievesMore TEAM‼️

[@lhart99]

Merlin Olsen was one of my all-time favorite NFL announcers. In my opinion, he's right up there with Pat & John.

[@craigbfolksinger]

Dick Enberg Curt Gowdy Keith Jackson the GOATs of sports broadcasting

[@prycerobertson4695]

He was once kicked in the head by Conrad Dobler (hailed as "Football's Dirtiest Player" by Sports Illustrated), and then gained a measure of symbolic revenge by placing Dobler's name on a headstone in a scene during an episode of Father Murphy.

[@jdsundstrom]

Love it!

[@toddfowler4017]

Ya know, Mr. Dave, Merlin Olsen could hold his own with ANY announcer EVER! He worked with some of the BEST EVER, and fit right in! Merlin and Dick Enberg, need I say more. One of the Fearsome Foursome was also one of the kindest, gentlest men EVER‼️ A true gentleman‼️‼️🇺🇲🏈📺🎤

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing, Todd!

[@don66hotrod94]

Thanks for this great tribute to Merlin.

[@amyb7070]

The high school I went to in Las Vegas has a rivalry football game against another school where the winning school wins a donated bronzed cleat from Merlin Olsen. It’s been going on since the 70’s.

[@jdsundstrom]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@jehobden]

My alma mater, Baylor, played USU in the 1961 Gotham Bowl in NYC when Mr. Olsen was its star player.

[@jdsundstrom]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@1420Days]

2:28 is that Moses Gunn in the background? I never seen Father Murphy, but definitely recognize him (LHOTP, Kung Fu, etc). If you haven’t already, maybe do a profile on Mr Gunn?

[@FrancescaA00]

Yes!! That was him and I’d love to see that video on him too.

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Yes. He was in Little House for a bit, and in the whole series Father Murphy. Remember him on Good Times?

[@jdsundstrom]

I'll add Moses to my potential topics list.

[@ERASEREPLACEPLACE]

Moses Gunn and the firearm names gets me! He's born Moses GUNn, and on Father Murphy he played Moses GAGE...and I believe there was an African-American super-villain based on him (or maybe just his name) called Moses MAGNUM.

[@darylmckay]

I loved him in Father Murphy. Coming from New Zealand, I didn't know or care about his American Football fame, he just seemed like a very decent man.

[@msgtjim4692]

Having been born in Utah, in Henefer and then playing football at Clearfield HS, Merlin was always a hero to me. He was always an example of what a true athlete should be -- foremost a faithful and loving husband and father, which is far from what most professional athletes represent to the youth today.

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@ERASEREPLACEPLACE]

I remember that episode of "Little House on the Prairie" where the boys of Walnut Grove found out that, if they wanted to form an official football team, they had to have an adult male coach. One of the boys suggested that they ask Andy Garvey's father (Merlin) to be their coach ... to which Andy replies, "My Dad don't know nothing about football!"

[@dannystaton5386]

Well done 😮

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks Danny! I'm loving your collabs with Sarah and Thrash!

[@wandahall4435]

Dave Awesome ❤❤❤😮😮😮😊😊😊

[@LeighFiteny-p2i]

I met Merlin when Merlin was a sportscaster

[@rawbacon]

Great on LHOTP, never watched Father Murphy or Aaron's Way, maybe I should give them a look someday before I pass. According to Dave my time is limited so I better hurry up.

[@jdsundstrom]

Ha! Yep, we all need to not procrastinate and do the important things sooner instead of later. 🙂

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Everyone forgets about Aaron's Way as it only lasted one season if that.

[@jdsundstrom]

Yep. Just 14 episodes.

[@craigbfolksinger]

Great player thats for sure one of the best ever Deacon Jones said he was the fastest one of the Fearsome Foursome

[@Marigen1971]

Now I want me some watchmacallit...one of my favorite chocolates.

[@jehobden]

A friend buys them in 6-packs to take to work for lunch. I like them too but don't buy them too often.

[@cadeevans4623]

I really enjoyed when he became apart of little house on the prairie loved the Jonathan ccharacter he was a great replacement for mr Edwards when he left the first time loved Edwards too love the movie the undefeated

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks for sharing Cade!

[@cadeevans4623]

Anytime buddy my pleasure

[@RedSiegfried]

Well, he was in Mitchell and you can't deny that.

[@bbfrancis23]

Fearsome foursome, my uncle went to school with him.

[@jdsundstrom]

Utah State?

[@bbfrancis23]

@jdsundstrom high school

[@jackfenton2271]

Cool story: I was at the "24 hour film counter" in Park City Utah. There was an angry little man in front of me yelling at the young girl because his pictures weren't ready. Merlin reached past me, and with giant hands, grabbed the guy by the collar, and gently walked the guy to his car. He opened his car door and placed him in the driver seat.

[@jdsundstrom]

Wow! That is a cool story. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikesilva3868]

Good 😊

[@jdsundstrom]

Thanks Mike!

[@mikesilva3868]

@@jdsundstrom no problem 🦸‍♂️

[@henryscafe8364]

Too bad they downsized that candy bar

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Are you the bouncer? You better get to bouncing.