Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras, who hated quarterbacks, passed away on Wednesday at age 77.
I am sufficiently old to have watched Alex Karras not only play on television but play live. Compared to today’s defensive linemen he wasn’t particularly large but, at the time, he was 6’3″ and 250 pounds — and offensive linemen completely, absolutely, feared him. As did not only opposing quarterbacks but Lions QB Bobby Layne.
Following retirement (he played for the Lions from 1958 to 1970, with a two-year gap), he appeared on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford.
To me, he was # 71. Period.
To others, he was George in Webster. That didn’t play to me. What played to me was this: Mongo, from Mel Brooks’s Blazing Saddles:
After that, many years later, Karras suffered dementia, heart disease and cancer. He most recently suffered kidney failure.
He passed away at home in Los Angeles, Wednesday, surrounded by family. God bless him.
Another portion of my life, my history, my surroundings — dies.
I guess that doesn’t bode quite very well for me.
BZ
P.S.
Alex Karras in action:
I always liked Alex Karras, he was one of the GOOD GIYS… I played defense too, he was the envy of defensive players everywhere…
Rest in Peace Sir!
He was one of the first to make the transition from football to acting on TV and movies.
BZ
I remember watching him, too. And the still you’ve got of him is typical – at least four offensive guys trying to keep him back and failing miserably.
“Mongo – is but a pawn in the game of life.”
I truly enjoyed his attitude. . .
BZ
RIP Mongo, you done good!
He did great!
BZ