- Played defensive tackle for Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League, 1962-1976.
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
- Older brother of Phil Olsen; the brothers played together with the Los Angeles Rams from 1971-1974.
- Underwent three courses of chemotherapy in 2009 after being diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- Was original member of the Los Angeles Rams "Fearsome Foursome"
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
- Does the voice-over for FTD commercials, as well as commercials for syndicated airings of "The X-Files."
- Graduated Utah State University in 1962.
- Gave up acting in 1988.
- On April 11, 2015, the stadium at Utah State University, Logan, Utah, was officially renamed Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.
- Graduated summa cum laude from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in finance in 1962; later earned a master's degree in economics from Utah State in 1970.
- Selected #3 in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
- Inducted into the Utah State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 (inaugural class).
- High school debate partner was astrophysicist Kip Thorne.
- Along with biological brother Phil, member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Both have been inducted into the Order of Constantine, the Fraternity's highest honor; they are also both Significant Sigs.
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