Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

Merlin Olsen Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Study Hints Create Teach
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: Merlin Olsen: NFL Legend and Actor

Cheat Sheet:
Merlin Olsen: NFL Legend and Actor Study Guide

NFL Career: Performance and Accolades

Merlin Olsen played his entire 15-year NFL career exclusively for the Los Angeles Rams.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played his entire 15-year NFL career as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was selected for the Pro Bowl 15 times during his NFL career.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was selected for the Pro Bowl 14 times during his NFL career.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen played his entire NFL career without missing a single game.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played in 208 out of a possible 210 games during his 15-year NFL career, missing only two games.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen played as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played as a defensive tackle throughout his NFL career.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was a member of the defensive line unit known as "The Fearsome Threesome."

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was a key member of the Los Angeles Rams' defensive line unit famously known as "The Fearsome Foursome."

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was honored with the Bert Bell Award in 1974, recognizing him as the NFL MVP.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1974, Merlin Olsen received the Bert Bell Award, which recognized him as the NFL MVP for that season.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen recorded zero interceptions during his entire NFL career.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen recorded one interception during his NFL career.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen stood 6 feet 7 inches tall during his playing days.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen stood 6 feet 5 inches tall during his playing days.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen wore jersey number 74 for the Los Angeles Rams, a number that has since been retired by the team.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen wore jersey number 74 for the Los Angeles Rams, and this number has been retired by the team in his honor.

Return to Game

In the 1962 draft, Merlin Olsen was selected only by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL draft.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the 1962 draft, Merlin Olsen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL draft and also by the Denver Broncos in the AFL draft.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was a key member of the "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was a prominent member of the Los Angeles Rams' renowned "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line.

Return to Game

What were Merlin Olsen's primary professions during his career?

Answer: Football player, actor, and broadcaster

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's career encompassed professional football, acting, and broadcasting.

Return to Game

For which NFL team did Merlin Olsen play his entire 15-year professional football career?

Answer: Los Angeles Rams

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played his entire 15-year NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.

Return to Game

What position did Merlin Olsen play throughout his 15-year NFL career?

Answer: Defensive Tackle

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played as a defensive tackle for his entire 15-year NFL career.

Return to Game

How many times was Merlin Olsen selected for the Pro Bowl during his NFL career?

Answer: 14

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was selected for the Pro Bowl 14 times during his NFL career, missing the honor only in his final season.

Return to Game

Which NFL defensive line unit was Merlin Olsen a prominent member of?

Answer: The Fearsome Foursome

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was a prominent member of the Los Angeles Rams' renowned "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line.

Return to Game

How many games did Merlin Olsen miss during his 15-year NFL career?

Answer: Two

Explanation: Merlin Olsen demonstrated remarkable durability, missing only two games during his 15-year NFL career.

Return to Game

What award, recognizing him as NFL MVP for the season, did Merlin Olsen receive in 1974?

Answer: Bert Bell Award

Explanation: In 1974, Merlin Olsen received the Bert Bell Award, which recognized him as the NFL MVP for that season.

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's career total for interceptions in the NFL?

Answer: 1

Explanation: Merlin Olsen recorded one interception during his NFL career.

Return to Game

What jersey number did Merlin Olsen wear with the Los Angeles Rams?

Answer: 74

Explanation: Merlin Olsen wore jersey number 74 for the Los Angeles Rams.

Return to Game

In the 1962 draft, Merlin Olsen was selected as the overall pick in the first round by which AFL team?

Answer: Denver Broncos

Explanation: In the 1962 draft, Merlin Olsen was selected by the Denver Broncos as the 2nd overall pick in the first round of the AFL draft.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was recognized as a defensive tackle on which NFL All-Decade Teams?

Answer: 1960s and 1970s

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was recognized as a defensive tackle on both the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen played his entire NFL career with which team?

Answer: Los Angeles Rams

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played his entire 15-year NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen played his entire NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams, a team for which he played:

Answer: 15 seasons

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played his entire 15-year NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.

Return to Game

College Football and Collegiate Honors

Merlin Olsen received the Outland Trophy in 1962 for his college football performance.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen received the Outland Trophy in 1961, not 1962.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen pursued his higher education at the University of Utah.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen pursued his higher education at Utah State University.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen earned a master's degree in finance from Utah State University.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen earned a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in economics from Utah State University.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen played his college football at Brigham Young University.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen played his college football at Utah State University.

Return to Game

What major college football award did Merlin Olsen receive in 1961?

Answer: Outland Trophy

Explanation: In 1961, Merlin Olsen received the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's best interior lineman.

Return to Game

Where did Merlin Olsen pursue his higher education?

Answer: Utah State University

Explanation: Merlin Olsen pursued his higher education at Utah State University.

Return to Game

What degrees did Merlin Olsen obtain from Utah State University?

Answer: Bachelor's in Finance and Master's in Economics

Explanation: Merlin Olsen obtained a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in economics from Utah State University.

Return to Game

Post-Football Career: Acting and Broadcasting

Merlin Olsen is widely recognized for his acting role as Jonathan Garvey on the television series *Little House on the Prairie*.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's portrayal of Jonathan Garvey in *Little House on the Prairie* is one of his most recognized acting roles.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen's most recognized acting role was on the series *Father Knows Best*.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's most recognized acting role was as Jonathan Garvey on *Little House on the Prairie*.

Return to Game

Following *Little House on the Prairie*, Merlin Olsen starred in the drama series *Father Murphy*.

Answer: True

Explanation: After *Little House on the Prairie*, Merlin Olsen starred as Father Michael Murphy in the NBC television drama series *Father Murphy*.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen broadcast Super Bowls for CBS Sports during the 1980s.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen broadcast Super Bowls for NBC Sports during the 1980s, not CBS Sports.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen appeared in the 1969 John Wayne film *True Grit*.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen appeared in the 1969 John Wayne film *The Undefeated*, not *True Grit*.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen's final acting role was in the 1988 television series *Aaron's Way*.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's final acting role was portraying Aaron Miller in the 1988 television series *Aaron's Way*.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen served as a color commentator for NBC's coverage of the American Football Conference (AFC).

Answer: True

Explanation: Following his playing career, Merlin Olsen worked as a color commentator for NBC's coverage of the American Football Conference (AFC).

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's most recognized acting role on television?

Answer: Jonathan Garvey on Little House on the Prairie

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's portrayal of Jonathan Garvey in *Little House on the Prairie* is widely considered his most recognized acting role on television.

Return to Game

In which John Wayne film did Merlin Olsen have an acting appearance?

Answer: The Undefeated

Explanation: Merlin Olsen appeared in the 1969 John Wayne film *The Undefeated*.

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's final acting role?

Answer: Aaron Miller in *Aaron's Way*

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's final acting role was portraying Aaron Miller in the 1988 television series *Aaron's Way*.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen served as a color commentator for which network's coverage of the AFC?

Answer: NBC

Explanation: Merlin Olsen served as a color commentator for NBC's coverage of the American Football Conference (AFC).

Return to Game

Which Super Bowl did Merlin Olsen broadcast for NBC?

Answer: Super Bowl XXIII

Explanation: Merlin Olsen broadcast Super Bowl XXIII for NBC as a color commentator.

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's role with FTD Florists?

Answer: Long-term commercial spokesman

Explanation: Merlin Olsen served as the long-term commercial spokesman for FTD Florists.

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's role in the 1970 episode of *Petticoat Junction*?

Answer: He played the character Merlin Fergus.

Explanation: In the 1970 episode 'With This Ring' of *Petticoat Junction*, Merlin Olsen portrayed the character Merlin Fergus.

Return to Game

Which of the following was NOT a role Merlin Olsen held after his playing career?

Answer: College football coach

Explanation: While Merlin Olsen was a television color commentator, a spokesman for FTD Florists, and a co-host for Children's Miracle Network telethons, he did not hold a role as a college football coach.

Return to Game

Personal Background and Family

Merlin Olsen's father, Merle Barrus Olsen, was a professor at Utah State University.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's father, Merle Barrus Olsen, was indeed a professor at Utah State University.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen's brother, Phil Olsen, also played professional football in the NFL.

Answer: True

Explanation: Merlin Olsen had two brothers, Phil and Orrin Olsen, who also played in the NFL. Merlin and Phil were teammates on the Los Angeles Rams.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen's mother, Lynn Jay Olsen, held a degree in business administration.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's mother, Lynn Jay Olsen, held a degree in elementary education.

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's father's profession?

Answer: University Professor

Explanation: Merlin Olsen's father, Merle Barrus Olsen, was a professor at Utah State University.

Return to Game

What was Merlin Olsen's birth date?

Answer: September 15, 1940

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was born on September 15, 1940.

Return to Game

Distinguished Honors and Hall of Fame Inductions

Merlin Olsen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame but not the College Football Hall of Fame.

Answer: False

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was ranked 25th on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Merlin Olsen 25th on its list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was honored by Utah State University by having their football stadium named after him.

Answer: False

Explanation: Utah State University honored Merlin Olsen by naming the playing surface of their football stadium 'Merlin Olsen Field'.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was inducted into which two Halls of Fame?

Answer: Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to both levels of the sport.

Return to Game

What honor did Utah State University bestow upon Merlin Olsen regarding their football stadium?

Answer: Named the playing surface "Merlin Olsen Field."

Explanation: Utah State University honored Merlin Olsen by naming the playing surface of their football stadium, formerly Romney Stadium, as Merlin Olsen Field.

Return to Game

Merlin Olsen was selected for the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. What was his position on this team?

Answer: Defensive Tackle

Explanation: Merlin Olsen was selected for the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team as a defensive tackle.

Return to Game

Later Life and Health Considerations

Merlin Olsen was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2009.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 2009, Merlin Olsen was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of cancer.

Return to Game

What health condition was Merlin Olsen diagnosed with in 2009?

Answer: Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Explanation: In 2009, Merlin Olsen was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of cancer.

Return to Game