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FreaknDavid · 09-10-12, 13:20

Alex Karras played for the Lions from 1958 to '62 and 1964 to '70. He was suspended for the 1963 season by then-league commissioner Pete Rozelle after admitting that he had bet on NFL games.

Longtime Detroit Lions fans remember Alex Karras as one of the most dominating defensive linemen of his generation.

Movie buffs will never forget the scene from "Blazing Saddles" in which he knocked out a horse with one punch.

Karras has lived his life on the edge, but is now suffering from kidney failure and under hospice care at his home in California. The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure.

"The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex.

"We know Alex first and foremost as one of the cornerstones to our Fearsome Foursome defensive line of the 1960s and also as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL.

“Many others across the country came to know Alex as an accomplished actor and as an announcer during the early years of 'Monday Night Football'.

"We join his legions of fans from both sports and entertainment in prayer and support for Alex, his wife Susan, and his entire family during this most difficult time."

The 77-year-old Karras has been suffering from dementia. He is among the many former NFL players suing the league regarding the treatment of head injuries.

Karras played for the Lions from 1958 to '62 and 1964 to '70. He was suspended for the 1963 season by then-league commissioner Pete Rozelle after admitting that he had bet on NFL games.

During his suspension, Karras spent time as a professional wrestler, taking on the likes of Dick the Bruiser.

Nicknamed “The Mad Duck,” Karras was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, but he played in only one playoff game — it was his final NFL game. The Lions lost, 5-0, to Dallas to end their 1970 season. Karras retired before the next season because of a knee injury.

In many ways, Karras’ life was only beginning when his football career was ending.

Two years earlier, he had played himself in the film adaptation of George Plimpton’s nonfiction book "Paper Lion." That set up Karras for his acting career.

He appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including a starring role in the ABC sitcom "Webster," in which he played the husband of his real-life wife, actress Susan Clark. Karras also made appearances on "M*A*S*H" and "The Odd Couple."

His three-year stint as an analyst on "Monday Night Football" featured his memorable line about Otis Sistrunk of the Oakland Raiders. Karras said that Sistrunk, who was bald, fierce-looking and never went to college, was from “the University of Mars.”

Karras was a well-known, volatile figure before he ever got to the NFL. He had constant run-ins with his college coach, Forest Evashevski, at Iowa. Karras once threw a shoe at Evashevski and quit the team at least twice.

But he also was an outstanding talent who led the Hawkeyes to a Rose Bowl victory as a junior and then finished third for the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 1957. Only three linemen have ever finished that high in the Heisman voting.

The Lions selected him in the first round of the '58 draft. His troubles with his coaches continued. Two of them, George Wilson and Harry Gilmer, lost their jobs after disputes with their star player.

That’s just Alexander George Karras — always controversial, never a dull moment.

FreaknDavid · 10-10-12, 18:36

Alex Karras Dead @ Age 77

Alex Karras on Webster.

Alex Karras, the burly defensive lineman turned actor in the ABC sitcom "Webster," died Wednesday surrounded by his family in their Los Angeles home following a hard-fought battle with kidney disease, heart disease, dementia and stomach cancer, according to a family spokesman.
\
He was 77.

"Alex was known to family and friends as a gentle, loving, generous man who loved gardening and preparing Greek and Italian feasts," his family said in a written statement.

The Gary, Indiana, native was an All-American at the University of Iowa who was thrust into professional football in 1958 with a first-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions, where he played until 1971.

It was in Detroit where he helped the team's defensive line become one of several through the years to bear the nickname "Fearsome Foursome," earning a reputation for his formidable presence on and off the line.

But in 1963, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended Karras and Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung for gambling on National Football League games, prompting the All-Pro tackle to try his hand at professional wrestling.

The following year, after he returned to the gridiron, Karras reportedly refused to take part in a pregame coin toss.

"I'm sorry, sir," he quipped to the official. "I'm not permitted to gamble." But Hollywood was calling. And according to his family, he "had always dreamed of being an actor" and got a boost when Lucille Ball "took him under her wing and allowed him to train in small parts."

After various appearances on television shows, Karras landed breakout movie roles, including spots in "Porky's" and "Victor Victoria." He also played "Mongo" in the Mel Brooks 1974 satirical western "Blazing Saddles," slugging a horse and uttering the memorable phrase, "Mongo only pawn in game of life."

He later joined the long-running television show "Webster," where he played George Papadapolis, the guardian of the newly orphaned Webster, played by actor Emmanuel Lewis. Karras also co-wrote autobiographies called "Even Big Guys Cry" and "Alex Karras by Alex Karras," and sat in the broadcast booth along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford during "Monday Night Football" broadcasts.

"While his legacy reached far beyond the gridiron, we always will fondly remember Alex as one of our own and also as one of the best to ever wear the Honolulu Blue and Silver," Lions President Tom Lewand said. In April, Karras -- who had been battling dementia -- joined more than 3,000 other former NFL players who are suing the league for not better protecting them from head injuries.

The players, who say they suffer from a variety of debilitating and potentially life-threatening concussion-related injuries, got a high-profile boost when the former Lion joined their ranks.

His family said he also was a strong supporter of the environment.

"His love of nature and most especially of the ocean, where he spent many happy days on his fishing boat, led him to support numerous organizations committed to protecting our environment for future generations," his family said. "In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of the organizations Alex Karras ardently supported: Natural Resources Defense Council, Bioneers, Greenpeace Foundation or the Pesticide Action Network."
Memorial services are being planned and will be announced soon, his family said.

09-10-12, 13:20	#1
FreaknDavid Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: In The Hills of Tennessee Posts: 6,631 Thanks: 7,332 Thanked 7,261 Times in 4,751 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Update: Lions Great, Alex Karras Dies Alex Karras played for the Lions from 1958 to '62 and 1964 to '70. He was suspended for the 1963 season by then-league commissioner Pete Rozelle after admitting that he had bet on NFL games. Longtime Detroit Lions fans remember Alex Karras as one of the most dominating defensive linemen of his generation. Movie buffs will never forget the scene from "Blazing Saddles" in which he knocked out a horse with one punch. Karras has lived his life on the edge, but is now suffering from kidney failure and under hospice care at his home in California. The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure. "The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex. "We know Alex first and foremost as one of the cornerstones to our Fearsome Foursome defensive line of the 1960s and also as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. “Many others across the country came to know Alex as an accomplished actor and as an announcer during the early years of 'Monday Night Football'. "We join his legions of fans from both sports and entertainment in prayer and support for Alex, his wife Susan, and his entire family during this most difficult time." The 77-year-old Karras has been suffering from dementia. He is among the many former NFL players suing the league regarding the treatment of head injuries. Karras played for the Lions from 1958 to '62 and 1964 to '70. He was suspended for the 1963 season by then-league commissioner Pete Rozelle after admitting that he had bet on NFL games. During his suspension, Karras spent time as a professional wrestler, taking on the likes of Dick the Bruiser. Nicknamed “The Mad Duck,” Karras was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, but he played in only one playoff game — it was his final NFL game. The Lions lost, 5-0, to Dallas to end their 1970 season. Karras retired before the next season because of a knee injury. In many ways, Karras’ life was only beginning when his football career was ending. Two years earlier, he had played himself in the film adaptation of George Plimpton’s nonfiction book "Paper Lion." That set up Karras for his acting career. He appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including a starring role in the ABC sitcom "Webster," in which he played the husband of his real-life wife, actress Susan Clark. Karras also made appearances on "MAS*H" and "The Odd Couple." His three-year stint as an analyst on "Monday Night Football" featured his memorable line about Otis Sistrunk of the Oakland Raiders. Karras said that Sistrunk, who was bald, fierce-looking and never went to college, was from “the University of Mars.” Karras was a well-known, volatile figure before he ever got to the NFL. He had constant run-ins with his college coach, Forest Evashevski, at Iowa. Karras once threw a shoe at Evashevski and quit the team at least twice. But he also was an outstanding talent who led the Hawkeyes to a Rose Bowl victory as a junior and then finished third for the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 1957. Only three linemen have ever finished that high in the Heisman voting. The Lions selected him in the first round of the '58 draft. His troubles with his coaches continued. Two of them, George Wilson and Harry Gilmer, lost their jobs after disputes with their star player. That’s just Alexander George Karras — always controversial, never a dull moment. __________________ Rock Out With DreamTeamDownloads1-The Best Place To Be For Downloads. You Can Help the site If You Donate, Please Click Here: DONATE Thank You For Your Support & Membership To DTD1.

10-10-12, 18:36	#2
FreaknDavid Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: In The Hills of Tennessee Posts: 6,631 Thanks: 7,332 Thanked 7,261 Times in 4,751 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	Re: Update: Lions Great, Alex Karras Dies Alex Karras Dead @ Age 77 Alex Karras on Webster. Alex Karras, the burly defensive lineman turned actor in the ABC sitcom "Webster," died Wednesday surrounded by his family in their Los Angeles home following a hard-fought battle with kidney disease, heart disease, dementia and stomach cancer, according to a family spokesman. \ He was 77. "Alex was known to family and friends as a gentle, loving, generous man who loved gardening and preparing Greek and Italian feasts," his family said in a written statement. The Gary, Indiana, native was an All-American at the University of Iowa who was thrust into professional football in 1958 with a first-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions, where he played until 1971. It was in Detroit where he helped the team's defensive line become one of several through the years to bear the nickname "Fearsome Foursome," earning a reputation for his formidable presence on and off the line. But in 1963, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended Karras and Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung for gambling on National Football League games, prompting the All-Pro tackle to try his hand at professional wrestling. The following year, after he returned to the gridiron, Karras reportedly refused to take part in a pregame coin toss. "I'm sorry, sir," he quipped to the official. "I'm not permitted to gamble." But Hollywood was calling. And according to his family, he "had always dreamed of being an actor" and got a boost when Lucille Ball "took him under her wing and allowed him to train in small parts." After various appearances on television shows, Karras landed breakout movie roles, including spots in "Porky's" and "Victor Victoria." He also played "Mongo" in the Mel Brooks 1974 satirical western "Blazing Saddles," slugging a horse and uttering the memorable phrase, "Mongo only pawn in game of life." He later joined the long-running television show "Webster," where he played George Papadapolis, the guardian of the newly orphaned Webster, played by actor Emmanuel Lewis. Karras also co-wrote autobiographies called "Even Big Guys Cry" and "Alex Karras by Alex Karras," and sat in the broadcast booth along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford during "Monday Night Football" broadcasts. "While his legacy reached far beyond the gridiron, we always will fondly remember Alex as one of our own and also as one of the best to ever wear the Honolulu Blue and Silver," Lions President Tom Lewand said. In April, Karras -- who had been battling dementia -- joined more than 3,000 other former NFL players who are suing the league for not better protecting them from head injuries. The players, who say they suffer from a variety of debilitating and potentially life-threatening concussion-related injuries, got a high-profile boost when the former Lion joined their ranks. His family said he also was a strong supporter of the environment. "His love of nature and most especially of the ocean, where he spent many happy days on his fishing boat, led him to support numerous organizations committed to protecting our environment for future generations," his family said. "In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of the organizations Alex Karras ardently supported: Natural Resources Defense Council, Bioneers, Greenpeace Foundation or the Pesticide Action Network." Memorial services are being planned and will be announced soon, his family said. __________________ Rock Out With DreamTeamDownloads1-The Best Place To Be For Downloads. You Can Help the site If You Donate, Please Click Here: DONATE Thank You For Your Support & Membership To DTD1.

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