Remembering Merlin Olsen
There were not many like Merlin Olsen, and now there is one less.
A great player out of Utah State, and by the way one of the few guys who can claim to have played a bowl game in New York City (the Gotham Bowl, which was short lived and is even less remembered), Merlin Olsen played 15 seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and made the Pro Bowl in 14 of those years.
In 15 seasons, how many games do you think he missed?
Honoring A Legendary Voice
With today’s announcement that Dick Enberg will become the television voice of the San Diego Padres in 2010, and in the process give up his CBS announcer duties of National Football League games, it made me reflect about his great career.
Enberg is a Renaissance man within the realm of sportscasters.
I will never forget what to me is his most memorable Bronco game, “The Drive.” He agrees with my assessment, even though he has done more games with the Broncos than perhaps any other franchise. But that game is routinely listed as one of the top 25 in NFL history, and that makes it pretty special historically.
Just about every announcer has a college degree, but how many have not only a master’s but a doctorate? Dick has both, from Indiana University, after he did his undergrad work as a Central Michigan Chippewa (he always checks to see if we have any Chippewas on the roster).