If you are a fan of American football, you might have heard of the names Merlin Olsen and Greg Olsen. Both of them are former NFL players who achieved great success in their careers. But are they related by blood or just by coincidence? In this article, we will explore the family backgrounds, achievements, and possible connections of these two NFL legends.
Who is Merlin Olsen?
Merlin Olsen was born on September 15, 1940, in Logan, Utah. He was a defensive tackle who played for the Los Angeles Rams for 15 seasons from 1962 to 1976. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl 14 times, which is tied for the second-most in NFL history. He was also a six-time first-team All-Pro and a four-time second-team All-Pro. He won the NFL Rookie of the Year award in 1962 and the Bert Bell Award for the Player of the Year in 1974. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive linemen of all time and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Merlin Olsen was also a successful actor and broadcaster after his retirement from football. He starred in several TV shows, such as Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy, and Aaron’s Way. He also worked as a color commentator for NBC and CBS, covering NFL games and other sports events. He died on March 11, 2010, at the age of 69, due to complications from cancer.
Who is Greg Olsen?
Greg Olsen was born on March 11, 1985, in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a tight end who played for 14 seasons in the NFL from 2007 to 2020. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft and played for them until 2010. He then joined the Carolina Panthers in 2011 and stayed with them until 2019. He finished his career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2020. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time second-team All-Pro. He became the first tight end in NFL history to record three consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards from 2014 to 2016.
Greg Olsen is also known for his charitable and humanitarian work off the field. He founded the HEARTest Yard Foundation, which provides support and resources for families of children with congenital heart defects. He also partnered with Levine Children’s Hospital to create a cardiac neurodevelopmental program. He received several awards for his community service, such as the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2019.
The short answer is no. Merlin Olsen and Greg Olsen are not related by blood or by marriage. They do not share any common ancestors or relatives that we know of. They just happen to have the same surname and play the same sport.
However, there are some interesting coincidences that link them together. For example:
- They both played college football at universities that have “Miami” in their names: Merlin at Utah State University (formerly Utah State Agricultural College) and Greg at University of Miami.
- They both wore number 88 during their NFL careers: Merlin with the Rams and Greg with the Seahawks.
- They both have brothers who also played in the NFL: Merlin’s brother Phil was a defensive tackle for the Rams and Broncos, while Greg’s brother Chris was a quarterback for the Saints and Broncos.
- They both have sons who are named after them: Merlin’s son Nathan Jay Olsen and Greg’s son Tate Christian Olsen.
So, while Merlin Olsen and Greg Olsen are not related by blood or by marriage, they do share some similarities and connections that make them part of the NFL family. They are both respected and admired by fans and peers alike for their achievements on and off the field. They are both examples of excellence and integrity that inspire generations of football players and fans.
