After a few games I knew I was going to be able to compete. The idea of being a star never crossed my mind.
Merlin Olsen

I bet I made close to 20 tackles because nobody on either side knew what they were doing.
Merlin Olsen

I can ski out of my back door.
Merlin Olsen

I just wanted to be an athlete.
Merlin Olsen

I probably played hurt a lot more times than I should have.
Merlin Olsen

I was always the last one chosen for football games in Central Park.
Merlin Olsen

I was captain and should have set the example. I would lift a minimum of weights. Mine was natural physical strength. I always thought quickness and agility were much more important.
Merlin Olsen

I've caught fish as big as I am. I've caught marlin close to 300 pounds.
Merlin Olsen

It took me a while to realize that basketball wasn't football.
Merlin Olsen

Most exciting for me was to make the Pro Bowl in 14 of 15 years.
Merlin Olsen


Nobody cared about swimming. You could draw a crowd for basketball.
Merlin Olsen

One of life's most painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn't do our homework, that we are not prepared.
Merlin Olsen

Our coach was absolutely out of his head. He must have read Bear Bryant's book. We had 78 players out. The first day 35 quit. Twenty quit the second day. We ended with 17 players. It was depressing.
Merlin Olsen

Our whole philosophy was to intimidate the quarterback. We were able to do it. We were pioneers. People still recognize us as, maybe, the best defensive line of all time.
Merlin Olsen

Team doctors' jobs those days were to keep you on the field.
Merlin Olsen

The basketball coach cut me within two days, so I was back in the pool. I was the first one in the wall after the first 25 yards, but the last one out because I didn't have a flip turn.
Merlin Olsen

When a man lies, he murders some part of the world.
Merlin Olsen

You are the land. The land is you.
Merlin Olsen