Photos: Merlin Olsen | 1940-2010

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts quarterback, shakes hands with President Lyndon Johnson as he and Merlin Olsen, center, arrive at the annual Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington. Unitas and Olsen came to Washington with other football stars to plan ways to help inner-city youths.  (John Rous / Associated Press)

At a Pro Bowl practice in 1973, Olsen was given the jersey originally intended for Bob Lilly of the Dallas Cowboys, who had to pull out of the game because of an injury.  (Ferd Kaufman / Associated Press)

Olsen, second from right prior to the Rose Bowl game between UCLA and Michigan, served as grand marshal of the 1983 Rose Parade. UCLA won 24-14.  (George Rose / Getty Images)

Commentators Dick Enberg, left, and Merlin Olsen broadcast from the AFC Divisional Playoffs game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Patriots defeated the Raiders, 27-20.  (George Rose / Getty Images)

Some of the members of the NFL’s 75th anniversary All-Time Team pose for a group photo in New York. In the front row, from left, are kicker Jan Stenerud, safety Ronnie Lott, linebacker Ray Nitschke, quarterback Otto Graham and linebacker Jack Ham. Second row from left are safety Larry Wilson, linebacker Lawrence Taylor, running back Walter Payton, defensive tackle Merlin Olsen, offensive tackle Anthony Munoz, running back Marion Motley, linebacker Willie Lanier and offensive tackle Roosevelt Brown.  (Ed Bailey / Associated Press)

In 2001, Olsen -- who was born in Logan, Utah -- and other athletes helped promote the 2002 Winter Olympics, which were held in Salt Lake City. From left are basketball player Thurl Bailey, paralympian Chris Waddell, Olympic skiier Nikki Stone and Olsen.  (Douglas C. Pizac / Associated Press)

Olsen served as presenter at the ceremony to enshrine his former Los Angeles Rams teammate Jack Youngblood, left, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  (David Maxwell / AFP/Getty Images)

Olsen waves during the 2005 NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.  (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

Broadway star Dale Kristien and Olsen, in the role of Santa Claus, perform at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington.  (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)