R.I.P. Merlin Olsen

(HMG) -  Pro Football Hall of Famer turned actor, Merlin Olsen has died at 69 after a bout with cancer.  Olsen, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year and had been undergoing chemotherapy, died Wednesday night.  After being a Pro Bowler 14 times in a 15-year career with the Rams, he had a second career on TV. He was an actor who appeared on Little House on the Prairie and was the lead in Father Murphy. He also was an analyst on NFL games for NBC.  Not unlike his TV characters, Olsen seemed like a genuinely gentle giant of a nice man, and his spirit will be missed.