RIP

Kobi · 10-10-2012, 11:55 AM

DETROIT (AP) — Alex Karras was one of the NFL's most feared defensive tackles throughout the 1960s, a player who hounded quarterbacks and bulled past opposing linemen.

And yet, to many people he will always be the lovable dad from the 1980s sitcom "Webster" or the big cowboy who famously punched out a horse in "Blazing Saddles"and delivered the classic line: "Mongo only pawn in game of life."

The rugged player, who anchored the Detroit Lions' defense and then made a successful transition to an acting career, with a stint along the way as a commentator on "Monday Night Football," died Wednesday. He was 77.

His death also will be tied to the NFL's conflict with former players over concussions. Karras in April joined the more than 3,500 football veterans suing the league for not protecting them better from head injuries, immediately becoming one of the best-known names in the legal fight. The family had not yet decided whether to donate Karras' brain for study, as other families have done.

Recently, his wife said Karras' quality of life had deteriorated because of head injuries sustained during his playing career. He was formally diagnosed with dementia several years ago and has had symptoms for more than a dozen years.

For all his prowess on the field, Karras may have gained more fame when he turned to acting in the movies and on television.

Aside from Blazing Saddles and Webster, Karras also appeared in the movies Paper Lion, Porky's, Victor/Victoria, Against All Odds, and portrayed the husband of famed female athlete "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias in the TV movie that starred Susan Clark, who later became his wife.

10-10-2012, 11:55 AM	#11
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,622 Times in 7,640 Posts Rep Power: 21474861	Alex Karras, former NFL lineman, actor, dies at 77 DETROIT (AP) — Alex Karras was one of the NFL's most feared defensive tackles throughout the 1960s, a player who hounded quarterbacks and bulled past opposing linemen. And yet, to many people he will always be the lovable dad from the 1980s sitcom "Webster" or the big cowboy who famously punched out a horse in "Blazing Saddles"and delivered the classic line: "Mongo only pawn in game of life." The rugged player, who anchored the Detroit Lions' defense and then made a successful transition to an acting career, with a stint along the way as a commentator on "Monday Night Football," died Wednesday. He was 77. His death also will be tied to the NFL's conflict with former players over concussions. Karras in April joined the more than 3,500 football veterans suing the league for not protecting them better from head injuries, immediately becoming one of the best-known names in the legal fight. The family had not yet decided whether to donate Karras' brain for study, as other families have done. Recently, his wife said Karras' quality of life had deteriorated because of head injuries sustained during his playing career. He was formally diagnosed with dementia several years ago and has had symptoms for more than a dozen years. For all his prowess on the field, Karras may have gained more fame when he turned to acting in the movies and on television. Aside from Blazing Saddles and Webster, Karras also appeared in the movies Paper Lion, Porky's, Victor/Victoria, Against All Odds, and portrayed the husband of famed female athlete "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias in the TV movie that starred Susan Clark, who later became his wife.