Posted on 10/09/2012 2:50:22 PM PDT by jakerobins
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.
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.
Detroit drafted Karras out of Iowa in 1958 and he was a standout for 12 seasons.
He may be even better well known for his work as an actor. He played the role of Mongo in the 1974 comedy classic “Blazing Saddles,” and was a lovable father in the 1980s sitcom “Webster.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
In 4 years they were playing for the NAIA championship.
Good bloodline.
In Nov 1963, in the Detroit Lions game in New Orleans Tulane Stadium, Tom Dempsey was sent on the field to kick a 64 yard field unheard of distance field goal, which he did. Karas is reported to have said when Dempsey took the field, “What is a Dempsey?”
Dempsey made the goal and the record still stands and the Saints won the game with the new coach of the day. I remember listening to the radio broadcast of the game as it was not on TV that Sunday afternoon.
I think that game with the Dempsey field goal was in 1970 or 1971.
The Saints weren’t in the league until 1968. Dempsey’s kick was 63 yards and the record has since been tied.
Hans Brumbaugh, King of Potatoes!
Is it just me or was there a lot more testosterone around back in those days?
Does anyone remember Alex in “How the West was Won” - he played an immigrant farmer - very endearing and well done.
I am very sad about this news - Prayers to you, Alex!
Correction - Alex was in “Centennial” - getting my movies mixed up.
Mongo! Santa Maria!
no, probably not. i suppose it would depend on how bad the dementia was.
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