Former NFLer Alex Karras, Known For Memorable Hollywood Roles, Dies At 77

Former Lions All-Pro ALEX KARRAS died this morning at the age of 77 due to kidney failure. He played from ’58-70 and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the ’60s. Funeral services are pending ( Lions ). In Detroit, Dave Birkett notes Karras “had battled cancer and dementia.” He also was “part of a large group of former players suing the NFL for head trauma” ( FREEP.com, 10/10 ). LEAVING HIS MARK IN HOLLYWOOD : ESPN’s Trey Wingo said few players have “made the transition from the fields of the NFL to the bright lights of Hollywood better” than Karras. Wingo: “As dominant as he was on the field, Karras’ true claim to fame came after his playing days.” He starred in the ‘80s television show “ WEBSTER ” and said “one of the greatest lines in movie history” in MEL BROOKS ’ film “ BLAZING SADDLES ” when he said, “Mongo only pawn in game of life” ( “SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/10 ). The FREE PRESS’ Birkett notes Karras “played himself in the 1968 film ‘ PAPER LION ,’ based on GEORGE PLIMPTON ’s book about his training camp tryout” with the Lions. In addition to “Blazing Saddles,” Karras “took another memorable turn as a crooked sheriff” in the ’82 release “ PORKY'S .” He also served as an analyst on “MNF” from ’74-76 alongside HOWARD COSELL and FRANK GIFFORD . His famously said after seeing steam rise from the Raiders’ OTIS SISTRUNK that Sistrunk was from the “University of Mars” ( FREEP.com, 10/10 ). Lions President TOM LEWAND in a statement earlier this week said, “Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex” ( AP, 10/10 ). SUSPENSION ONLY BLEMISH : In a special to SI.com, Len Pasquarelli notes the “most notable blemish” during Karras’ playing career was when then-NFL Commissioner PETE ROZELLE suspended Karras and PAUL HORNUNG for the ’63 season “after they admitted to betting on NFL games.” Karras “spent some of the year-long suspension wrestling” ( SI.com, 10/10 ). In L.A., Sam Farmer notes after returning to the Lions in ’64, Karras “poked fun at his own reputation, once refusing when a referee asked him to call the pregame coin toss” ( LATIMES.com, 10/10 ).