[Bluehorseshoe]

Damn. I just posted a picture of him as "Mongo" from Blazing Saddles just the other day...



DETROIT -- Alex Karras' condition has deteriorated and the NFL team he played for is extending its sympathies.

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure.

"The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement released by the team late Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex."


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 him 10th overall out of Iowa in 1958 and he was a standout for 12 seasons.

Karras might be even better well known for his work as an actor, including being a lovable father in the 1980s sitcom "Webster." He also played the role of Mongo in the 1974 comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," in which he said, "Mongo only pawn in game of life," and punched out a horse.

Recently, his wife said his quality of life has been made worse because of head injuries sustained during his playing career.

Susan Clark said earlier this year that her husband couldn't drive after loving to get behind the wheel and he could no longer remember recipes for some of his favorite Italian and Greek dishes he used to cook.

Clark, who also played the wife of Karras' character on "Webster," has said he was formally diagnosed with dementia several years ago and has had symptoms for more than a dozen years. She and Karras were among those who filed suit nearly six months ago in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.

"This physical beating that he took as a football player has impacted his life, and therefore it has impacted his family life," Clark said earlier this year. "He is interested in making the game of football safer and hoping that other families of retired players will have a healthier and happier retirement."

The NFL has said it did not intentionally seek to mislead players and has taken action to better protect players and to advance the science of concussion management and treatment.

Karras played his entire NFL career with the Lions before retiring in 1970 at age 35. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1960, 1961 and 1965, and he made the Pro Bowl four times. He missed the 1963 season when he was suspended by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle in a gambling probe. Karras was recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a defensive tackle on the All-Decade Team of the 1960s.

"We know Alex first and foremost as one of the cornerstones to our Fearsome Foursome defensive line of the 1960s and also as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL," Lewand said. "Many others across the country came to know Alex as an accomplished actor and as an announcer during the early years of 'Monday Night Football.'

"We join his legions of fans from both sports and entertainment in prayer and support for Alex, his wife Susan, and his entire family during this most difficult time."

[heywally]

Thanks for posting the article

[Chi_archie]

Very sad

[ABEHONEST]

Great player and a terrible loss!

[jjgold]

Football a killer sport

God only knows what will happen to players after football

[str]

I read this earlier today.

Thanks for posting it.

Tough to watch your childhood heroes go away.

It's all a part of the deal I guess.

[Bluehorseshoe]

Another retired player with Dementia. How many of the current players are going to end up with Dementia the way the game is played now?

[Mr Handicapable]

Undoubtedly, the “highlight” of the Bruiser’s wild career was his confrontation with Alex Karras. The talented Greek was a high profile football player with the Detroit Lions, and would go on to make a name for himself as an actor (Paper Lion and Blazing Saddles are but two in a well-established film career). Karras, who was a very tough competitor on the NFL gridiron, possessed a good sense of humor and was equally well liked and respected by teammates, and even those he faced on the field. Still, everyone knew not to push Alex too far, as he was an extraordinarily powerful man that would respond in kind when challenged.

It was in 1963 that a confrontation between the Motor City hero and the man with no use for rules came to pass. In retrospect, since Karras was the reigning football star in town and the Bruiser had recently invaded Detroit, it was probably inevitable that their paths would cross. That’s exactly what happened, although as in most things having to do with Richard Afflis, it didn’t take place in the usual manner.

As the story goes, Bruiser decided to come a-calling in person. He went to a local bar that was partially owned by Karras, knowing he would find him there. At first, the two sat and talked about sports and their respective careers. Then, Alex made a comment that riled Dick. Although eyewitness accounts varied, it was virtually unanimous that the remark was mild and not intended to provoke.

Still, that was the opening Dick the Bruiser sought, and he challenged the footballer on the spot. Karras instead offered to meet Afflis in a wrestling ring, and Dick responded with something like, “How’s about right here, right now?” Within seconds, they were throwing punches. Alex’s buddies tried to intercede, but even with all that manpower the police had to be summoned. Before Karras AND his friends AND the police could finally subdue the crazed wrestler, the bar had been virtually destroyed. The brawl spilled out into the street and, according to official reports, several innocent passersby became involved.


It was supposed to be one of the greatest bar brawls in history. Dick the Bruiser and Alex Karras toe to toe..lol

[R.P. McMurphy]

Any form of dementia is sad but it's not just football players. My grandfather was a hard working contractor and passed away a few years back at 78 years old from Alzheimers. Last 8/10 years he did'nt even know me or my name and reverted to an almost child-like state. It's sad indeed but like most football players acknowledge they knew the risk going in and were willing to go forward anyhow. Sure he has lived a good life and will leave many good memories behind!

[Bluehorseshoe]

Any form of dementia is sad but it's not just football players. My grandfather was a hard working contractor and passed away a few years back at 78 years old from Alzheimers. Last 8/10 years he did'nt even know me or my name and reverted to an almost child-like state. It's sad indeed but like most football players acknowledge they knew the risk going in and were willing to go forward anyhow. Sure he has lived a good life and will leave many good memories behind!

My bosses' father has it and it's freaking him out that he's forgetting things as of late. Shitty way to end your life.

[InTheDrink]

papadopoulos

[JR007]

sad