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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...

Alex Karras was recently released from a California hospital after having kidney failure so he could spend his final days with family. ''He may be dying of kidney failure because now his body is catching up to the deterioration of his mind,'' Craig Mitnick, Karras' attorney in a lawsuit against the NFL, told The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon. The 77-year-old former defensive tackle and actor, who was born and raised in Gary, Ind., has been surrounded by his wife and kids at his home in Los Angeles.

DETROIT — Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand says the franchise is deeply saddened to learn of Alex Karras' condition. The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported Monday that the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has kidney failure and has been given only a few days to live.

Former Detroit Lions great Alex Karras is in failing health and currently in hospice care. Karras, who played with the Lions from 1958-62 and then again from 1964-70 after sitting out a season for his role in a gambling scandal, is suffering from kidney failure and according to a report published Monday night in the Detroit Free Press, has been given a short amount of time to live. Lions team president Tom Lewand issued the following statement Monday night: "The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time...

Green Bay Packers fans turned out in droves to welcome their Super Bowl championship football team back to town on Monday. Fans lined the city streets all along the Packers’ route from Austin-Straubel Airport back to Lambeau Field after the team’s plane landed around 1:45 p.m. The players and coaches traveled in a caravan of Green Bay city buses, and on some streets fans were lined up as much as five or six people deep, on both sides. The crowds grew considerably larger the closer the team got to Lambeau. Upon arriving at the stadium, thousands of fans were waiting...