Merlin Olsen to receive IMPACT Award

LOGAN — Former Utah State All-American Merlin Olsen has been named the recipient of The Lott Trophy Lifetime IMPACT Award and will be honored at the fourth annual Lott Trophy Dinner on Dec. 9 in Newport Beach, Calif.

The award goes to a former athlete who excelled on the field and went on to a distinguished post-football career. The Lott Trophy is named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and goes to the outstanding college defensive player of the year who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Olsen was a two-time All-American (1960-61) as a defensive lineman at Utah State and won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the nation's outstanding interior lineman. He was also a three-time Academic All-American (1959-61) and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Kappa Phi in 1962 with a degree in finance. Olsen was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and the GTE Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 1988.

As the second player selected in the 1962 National Football League Draft, Olsen became a charter member of the Los Angeles Rams and the famed "Fearsome Foursome." In 15 pro seasons, he was named to an NFL record 14 Pro Bowls. Olsen was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1962 and was the league's Most Valuable Lineman in 1973. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and earned a spot on Sports Illustrated's all-time NFL team.

Olsen retired from professional football in 1976 to pursue a career as an actor and broadcaster with NBC as he covered five Super Bowls.