He Learned It’s Not Merely a Paperweight

Former defensive tackle Merlin Olsen, the 1961 Outland Trophy winner from Utah State who was a fixture in the Rams’ Fearsome Foursome, appeared at Wednesday’s Outland Trophy ceremony at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, where he received a special presentation and introduced each finalist.

Olsen, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told the audience how the Outland statue, a 40-pound, two-foot-high, solid cast-iron sculpture by former NFL defensive back Jim Ridlon, embodies the quintessential lineman.

After handing Russell Maryland the trophy, Olsen began a short interview with the Miami defensive tackle.

Said Maryland: “I’m so happy right now. I don’t know what to say. I’d like to thank my parents. . . . Let me put this thing down . . . . James and Rita Maryland.”

Add Outland Trophy: Maryland thanked a number of people, adding that he hoped he hadn’t missed anyone inadvertently.

His father, James, a district sales manager for Chrysler Corp. in the Chicago area, was sitting in the front row. He called out: “Leo Levine.”

Said Maryland: “My father reminds me to thank Leo Levine of Mercedes. Get that, he’s a Chrysler guy!”

Mercedes-Benz sponsors the Outland Trophy presentation.

Trivia time: Which school has had the most consensus All-American football selections?

Economy move: After baseball’s winter meetings adjourned Wednesday, an Associated Press story out of Houston began: “Astros Manager Art Howe says the team is going to see if it can trade first baseman Glenn Davis during the major league winter meetings.”

Dial-a-ride: For the past two rodeo seasons, the Bucking Bull of the Year has been Pacific Bell, owned by Dan Russell of Folsom, Calif.

The Pacific Bell we’ve known for years is one tough customer, but how tough is this guy? According to the Associated Press, in 35 events last year, no rider was able to stay on the 1,800-pounder for a full eight seconds. And Russell expects him to three-peat as Bull of the Year this week at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Russell also said of his 7-year-old animal: “He may go until he’s 12 or 13, but when it gets to the point where they start riding him, I’m not going to let him play the game any more. I’m going to let him quit when he’s on top.”

Rocket vs. Rocket: If Notre Dame’s Raghib (Rocket) Ismail accepts an invitation to run the 50-meter dash in the Sunkist Invitational track meet at the Sports Arena on Jan. 18, credit Notre Dame assistant track coach John Miller with a crafty sales pitch.

The meet is less than three weeks after the Rocket and the Fighting Irish take on Colorado in the Orange Bowl.

Miller told meet officials that when Ismail heard about the chance to begin his indoor track season in Los Angeles, he said: “Do I really need to start with Ben Johnson?”

Trivia answer: Yale, with 100.

Quotebook: Champion race car driver Dale Earnhardt, who raises beef cattle and chickens on his 300-acre spread in North Carolina: “I own a backhoe, a motor grader, a loader, a bulldozer and several farm tractors. I enjoy running a piece of equipment and seeing something evolve.”