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Alex Karras, Former NFL Star And Actor, Dies
NPR ^ | 10/10/12 | Mark Memmott

Posted on 10/10/2012 10:49:04 AM PDT by iowamark

Alex Karras, who was a star defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions in the 1960s and went on to gain other fame for his acting in Hollywood's Blazing Saddles and TV's Webster, has died, according to multiple reports.

He was 77 and had been suffering from kidney failure, as People magazine earlier reported. His death has been reported to The Associated Press by Karras' attorney, Craig Mitnick, and to USA Today by the Lions.

The Associated Press reminds us that:

"Karras became a bit of a celebrity through George Plimpton's behind-the-scenes book about what it was like to be an NFL player in the Motor City, Paper Lion: Confessions of a Second-string Quarterback. That led to Karras playing himself in the movie adaption, and it opened doors for him such as being an analyst alongside Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford on Monday Night Football.

"Karras had a well-known appearance as Mongo in the 1974 movie Blazing Saddles and was a star in the 1980s sitcom Webster. He took on another role this year as lead plaintiff in a complaint against the NFL by ex-players who claim the league didn't do enough to protect them from head injuries."

IMDB.com has cataloged Karras' acting career here. For those of us who were young and enjoyed director Mel Brooks' movies back in the '70s, his performance as Mongo in Blazing Saddles is some classic comedy. If you haven't seen his most famous moment from that movie in a while, there's a clip of it here (and, no, we're not endorsing the punching of horses).

Karras missed the 1963 NFL season. He and the Green Bay Packers' Paul Hornung "were suspended by [Commissioner] Pete Rozelle for betting on NFL games and associating with gamblers," as ESPN writes.

Update at 11:35 a.m. ET. Daughter Confirms The News:

"Tom McInerney, owner of McInerney's Woodhaven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and a friend of Karras since the 1950s, said he heard the news [of the death] from Karras' daughter, Katie," the Detroit News reports.

Update at 11:05 a.m. ET. A "Bull-Necked Defensive Tackle" Who Was "Ahead Of His Time As A Multimedia Personality."

The Detroit Free Press begins its appreciation of Karras with this:

"Alex Karras, a bull-necked defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions who chased NFL quarterbacks on muddy fields more than 50 years ago but was ahead of his time as a multimedia personality, died today in Los Angeles. He was 77 and had been suffering from dementia and kidney failure.

"Karras never slowed down after a 13-year NFL career — he was suspended one season for gambling — turning to an acting career he'd built in previous off-seasons. He appeared in movies, TV shows and commercials, and spent three years (1974-76) in the Monday Night Football booth, once declaring, 'I'm the bridge between Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford. I'm there to have a little fun.' "



TOPICS: Sports; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: again; alexkarras; athletes; karras
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RIP
1 posted on 10/10/2012 10:49:13 AM PDT by iowamark
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2 posted on 10/10/2012 10:50:49 AM PDT by iowamark
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To: Springman; cyclotic; netmilsmom; RatsDawg; PGalt; FreedomHammer; queenkathy; madison10; ...
Alex Karras has passed.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
3 posted on 10/10/2012 10:52:37 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: iowamark

No more Mongo.


4 posted on 10/10/2012 10:53:13 AM PDT by arrogantsob (The Disaster MUST Go. Sarah herself supports Romney.)
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To: iowamark
RIP Mongo.

He was just slightly before my time, but he is a Detroit Lion!!

5 posted on 10/10/2012 10:53:29 AM PDT by softwarecreator
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To: iowamark
Prayers up for his family.

/johnny

6 posted on 10/10/2012 10:55:03 AM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: iowamark
Loved watching this guy on the field and off....

What a Great man...he will be missed.

7 posted on 10/10/2012 10:57:49 AM PDT by thingumbob (I'm a bitter clinger...I dare you to take my gun)
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To: iowamark
Loved watching this guy on the field and off....

What a Great man...he will be missed.

8 posted on 10/10/2012 10:58:02 AM PDT by thingumbob (I'm a bitter clinger...I dare you to take my gun)
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Against all odds! A flawed classic from the 80's with one of the best movie scores from the period (the title song doesn't come till the closing credits).

Alex Karras plays Sully, who, if I'm not wrong, dies from a gun shot by the extraordinarily beatiful Rachel Ward.

One of the best "chase" scenes ever involving Woods and Bridges.

Don't forget Kid creole and his coconuts.

Beach Volleyball before it was hip!

RIP Mr. Karras

9 posted on 10/10/2012 11:05:27 AM PDT by Jakarta ex-pat
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To: iowamark

Mr. Karras was probably one of the original teddy bear NFL players. He was a great player and an acceptable actor.

He was smart, kind, funny and generous and gave us all lots of fond memories.

Thank you, Alex. And, may God comfort your loved ones with the knowledge that you were a positive influence on so many people.


10 posted on 10/10/2012 11:09:50 AM PDT by DustyMoment (Congress - another name for white collar criminals!!)
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To: arrogantsob

11 posted on 10/10/2012 11:13:59 AM PDT by EEGator
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To: Jakarta ex-pat

Yup, Alex Karras was great in “Against All Odds.” Flawed only in the sense that it was implausible. But exciting and well-done given the ridiculous plot.


12 posted on 10/10/2012 11:16:29 AM PDT by whitedog57
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To: EEGator

Even though I as a fanatic Bears fan, I thought Karras was great (when he wasn’t on top of Bill Wade). He definitely was a man who followed his own star, a free spirit (like Hornug) and man of many talents.


13 posted on 10/10/2012 11:17:21 AM PDT by arrogantsob (The Disaster MUST Go. Sarah herself supports Romney.)
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To: DustyMoment

And GREAT in the Garner/Andrews musical “Victor/Victoria” as Jim Garner’s gay body guard.


14 posted on 10/10/2012 11:17:44 AM PDT by whitedog57
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To: All

He uttered one of the greatest movie lines in all of history, “Mongo only pawn in the game of life.”


15 posted on 10/10/2012 11:19:39 AM PDT by Turbo Pig (...to close with and destroy the enemy...)
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To: arrogantsob

Or Webster’s adoptive dad.


16 posted on 10/10/2012 11:22:19 AM PDT by RochesterNYconservative (ROMNEY/RYAN 20121)
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To: arrogantsob

It stinks when the good ones go, but he’s in a better place now.

It said he had dementia. I wonder if he sustained lots of concussions during his NFL career...


17 posted on 10/10/2012 11:22:19 AM PDT by EEGator
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To: iowamark
I saw him on Carson one night. Truman Capote was also on and got his panties in a wad over Alex smoking a cigar. Needless to say, Alex was not very intimidated and kept his stogy.
18 posted on 10/10/2012 11:29:50 AM PDT by CrazyIvan (Obama's birth certificate was found stapled to Soros's receipt.)
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To: iowamark

A Hawkeye great from the Forest Evashevski Rose Bowl years. Karras was winner of the Outland Trophy and Heisman Trophy runner up.

He came from the days when college football played “single platoon,” but there was never any doubt where he liked to play.


19 posted on 10/10/2012 11:30:33 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (In the game of life, there are no betting limits)
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To: EEGator

They just called it “having your bell rung” back then. Charming, eh?


20 posted on 10/10/2012 11:31:14 AM PDT by arrogantsob (The Disaster MUST Go. Sarah herself supports Romney.)
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