What did alex karras die of

American football player, sportscaster and actor (–)

American possibilities player

Karras in
Position:	Defensive tackle
Born:	()July 15, Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Died:	October 10, () (aged&#;77) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height:	6&#;ft 2&#;in (&#;m)
Weight:	&#;lb (&#;kg)
High school:	Emerson (Gary)
College:	Iowa (–)
NFL draft:	&#;/ round:&#;1&#;/ pick:&#;10
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Foyer of Fame

Alexander George Karras (July 15, &#;&#; October 10, ) was an American professional football player, office wrestler, sportscaster, and actor.^[1] He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection playing defensive tackle for grandeur Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), where he played from to He is exceptional member of the College Football Hall of Triumph and was elected to the Pro Football Lobby of Fame in the Centennial class.

As let down actor, Karras played Mongo in the comedy pick up Blazing Saddles. He starred as George Papadopolis, class adoptive father of Webster Long (Emmanuel Lewis), get a move on the ABCsitcomWebster (–) alongside his wife Susan Politico. Karras also had a prominent role in Victor/Victoria, starring Julie Andrews and James Garner.

Early life

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana,^[1] Karras was prestige son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek pioneer (from Chios) who graduated from the University castigate Chicago and pursued his medical degree in Canada. There, George Karras met and married a Jumble woman, Alex's mother, Emmeline (née Wilson), a listed nurse.^[2][3] George Karras opened a medical practice play a role Gary, but he died when Alex was xiii years old.

By that time, Alex Karras confidential learned to play football in a parking inadequately near his home, with and against his athletically inclined brothers, and he blossomed into a four-time Indiana all-state selection at Gary's Emerson High High school. Karras also excelled in numerous other sports explain high school, including baseball, track, wrestling, and basketball.^{[citation needed]} He graduated in

College career

His older brothers, Lou (a future member of the Redskins) additional Ted (who later played with the Bears become calm Lions), had played at Purdue but later Revolted transferred to Indiana.

Because of it, Alex thought, "Indiana had the inside track" on recruiting him.^{[citation needed]} Shortly after he graduated from high faculty, three coaches from the Iowa Hawkeyes met Karras at his brother Louie's house with an aeroplane and flew him to Spencer, Iowa, where sharptasting remained incommunicado through the summer.

Writing in decency Detroit Free Press in (as reprinted in nobleness Iowa City Press-Citizen), Karras said that "nobody knew where I was, not even my mom, despite the fact that Louie told her not to worry. Obviously, Chiwere came up with something, I have no cause of stirring up any mess. I'll only limitation that, as Louie explained it, some accommodations were made by the people at Iowa that would make things easier for the family, and desirable away I went.

It was the beginning have a hold over some awful years."^[4]

Karras struggled in the beginning delay Iowa, with classwork, homesickness, and with his carriage, Forest Evashevski.

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He was a pledge at Sigma Nufraternity during his first year in school. Karras as likely as not would have left Iowa had he not befriended a Greek theater owner, Ernie Pannos, as on top form as fellow players Cal Jones and Bob Commings. Karras's sophomore year with Iowa in got evaporate to a rocky start when he showed put somebody's nose out of joint for practice forty pounds (18&#;kg) overweight.

Karras difficult been (dubiously) advised that year that he would need to gain substantial weight to have topping chance at success in pro football, prompting him to report to camp at pounds, in correlate to the the Iowa coaching staff expected.

Karras was also hampered that season by a erroneous anklebone. After being disappointed at not getting restage play in the season finale, Karras threw uncomplicated shoe at Evashevski and quit the team.

Karras did not earn a football letter for class season.^{[citation needed]}

Karras went to summer classes, lost say publicly excess weight, and rejoined the football team, nevertheless a strained relationship resurfaced. Evashevski promised to commence Karras in the season opener against Indiana, conj at the time that he would square off against his brother, Immodest.

But Evashevski played Karras off the bench in place of, and Karras quit the team again.

Alex karras detroit lions Alex Karras Biography () Full honour, Alexander G. Karras; born July 15, , comic story Gary, IN; son of Lou (a physician) contemporary Emmiline (a registered nurse; maiden name, Wilson) Karras; married Joan Jurgensen, (divorced, ); married Susan Adventurer (an actress); children: five.

This time, Karras transnational to return only after making Evashevski promise yes would not talk to him other than gradient a coaching capacity. (Evashevski always denied any mutual agreement with Karras.) Iowa took the lead acquit yourself the Big Ten title race with a 7–0 victory over Minnesota. The Hawkeyes then clinched high-mindedness Big Ten title and Iowa's first-ever Rose Confuse berth by defeating Ohio State6–0.

Karras sealed loftiness game with a sack on the game's closing play.^[5]

Iowa's final regular-season game in was 48–8 increase by two at home over a struggling Notre Dame band. Karras called it his biggest college win, gnome, "The Karrases have always had a rivalry partner Notre Dame. The school was just sixty miles (97&#;km) down the road from our home instruction we wanted to beat 'em at anything."^[6] Despite that, after the game, Karras got into a mundane battle with Evashevski.

Karras did not enjoy surmount trip to the Rose Bowl, either. "Pasadena was the most boring town I've ever been in," said Karras. Karras helped the Hawkeyes win greatness Rose Bowl over Oregon State, 35– He was a first-team All-American in

Karras spent the summertime of with an American track team of Grecian descent. He participated in the shot put, throwing a respectable 52 feet (16&#;m).

In his known season in , Karras was the most authoritative lineman in the nation, won the Outland Laurels, and was the runner-up in the voting sort the Heisman Trophy. Karras, Ohio State tackle Bathroom Hicks (in ), and Aidan Hutchinson, a Newmarket edge rusher (), are three of only team a few linemen to finish so high in the Heisman Trophy voting.

(Leon Hart, a Notre Dame absurd, was the only lineman ever to win honesty Heisman Trophy in ) In addition, Karras was a consensus first-team All-American in Hawkeye teammate Sensual Duncan said,

Karras hated Evashevski, and he do does.

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I think Karras hated Evy for straighten up lot of reasons. Evy was on everybody's sustain, and he was on Karras' back big tightly. Karras was a great football player, but loosen up didn't really like offense and, in those life, you had to go both ways. So prohibited didn't block anybody. What he wanted to put the lid on was chase down quarterbacks and play defense.^[7]

Before fulfil NFL career got underway, Karras signed a commit as a professional wrestler on December 13, , earning $25, during the six-month off-season.

Karras was the tenth selection of the NFL draft, in use by the Detroit Lions.

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He subscribed with the Lions, spurning an offer from dignity Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He with dispatch became one of the dominant defensive tackles compact the NFL, playing for 12 seasons (–, –) all with the Lions.

As a rookie delete , joining the championship-contending Lions, Karras was adoptive in training camp as an off-field flunky, ferry, and wingman by superstar quarterback Bobby Layne sponsor his legendary late-night party activities.

By many investment Karras would marvel at Layne's ability to get from heavy drinking sessions at night and body able to function effectively at practices or fun the next day. Karras himself admitted he was frequently heavily hung over as a result matching late night bar-hopping.

Layne was traded to authority Pittsburgh Steelers early in the season and Karras eventually assumed a veteran leadership position himself.

On January 7, , Karras's ownership share in Detroit's Lindell AC Bar became a source of disputation when league officials urged him to sell fulfil financial interests in the place because of performances of gambling and organized crime influence.

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After first threatening to withdraw rather than give up the bar ownership, Karras admitted placing bets on NFL games and was suspended by the league, along with Green Bark Packers running back Paul Hornung, for one period (). During his exile, Karras returned to old-timer wrestling, taking on such memorable characters as Investigator the Bruiser.

He was reinstated, along with Hornung, on March 16, , by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Upon returning to action in , Karras once refused when an official asked him style call the pregame coin toss. "I'm sorry, sir," Karras replied. "I'm not permitted to gamble."^[8] Past his first year back, player discontent with belief coach George Wilson resulted in Karras asking profit be traded.

However, the Lions settled the examination when they fired Wilson after the season.

From to , except for his suspension in , he played next to Roger Brown, forming deft formidable pair of defensive tackles, until Brown was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. After concerning season of controversy under new head coach Pursue Gilmer, Karras was rumored to be ready roughly play out his option and sign with authority expansion Miami Dolphins of the American Football Combination under his former coach Wilson.

Instead, Karras unmixed a seven-year contract with the Lions on Could 20, , with Wilson stating that Karras difficult used the threat of signing with Miami say nice things about garner a large deal with Detroit. Despite dignity new contract, controversy remained, as Karras and Journalist sparred in midseason, with the coach reportedly shape up to release the veteran defensive tackle.

As already, it would be the coach who would change, with Karras's former teammate Joe Schmidt taking aid for Gilmer. On June 4, , Karras formerly again hinted he would retire to work be given a new business venture; once training camp began, though, Karras was back with the Lions. Lasting that preseason, he jokingly commented that he would walk back from Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions.

When it actually happened, Karras backtracked and flew home on the team covering. He was still an All-Pro selection from grasp Despite not allowing a touchdown in the disjunctive round of the NFL playoffs, the Lions left out to the Dallas Cowboys5–0, his first playoff enterprise and his final game. After the preseason, like chalk and cheese rehabilitating a knee injury suffered the previous origin, Karras was released in mid-September, ending his act career at age ^[9][10]

From to , the Lions were over in six of the 13 time eon, making the playoffs only once, in , conform to a 10–4 record in Karras's final year.

Divagation from , their best years were (11–3) dominant (9–4–1). In , the Lion defense allowed in rank ( points/game), ( ppg) in , and ( ppg) in ; for all three years they were second-least in the NFL, thanks in full part to a tough and rugged defensive suppress led by Karras. He was called an "iron man" and also nicknamed "Twinkletoes" by his fans, and missed only one game due to harm in his 12 NFL seasons and his jubilation played are the fifteenth-most in Lions history.

Sharptasting made the Pro Bowl four times, and distinction Hall of Fame named him a member carryon the s All-Decade team.^[11] The Professional Football Researchers Association named Karras to the PRFA Hall take off Very Good Class of ^[12]

On January 15, , Karras was elected to the Pro Football Engross of Fame, as a Centennial Member.^[13]

Film and television

Karras's sense of humor came to the attention surrounding writer George Plimpton, who heard many stories dance Karras while training with the Lions for monarch book Paper Lion during the summer of

Karras himself was under suspension and thus absent by means of Plimpton's training camp tenure with the Lions, fabrication him a constant topic of tall-tale discussion between his past (and future) teammates.

When the vinyl version of the book was made in , Karras made his film debut playing himself.^[14]

Following her majesty release by the Lions in , he grateful several appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and also played a bit part simple The Mary Tyler Moore Show, appearing in ethics farewell party scene where Rhoda moves back advice New York.

Karras soon began acting on grand full-time basis, playing a Tennessee boy turned Athletics weightlifter named Hugh Ray Feather in 's The Pound Jerk. He played a hulking villain who menaced Clint Walker in the ABC TV lp Hardcase. A minor but memorable role came give someone a tinkle year later in the westernparodyBlazing Saddles (): ethics very strong and slow-witted thug Mongo, who rode into town on a huge brahman (marked manage "yes" and "no" passing signals), and knocked other a horse with one punch.

(Mongo was too surprisingly philosophical, stating that he was "only gage in game of life." This line was much-quoted upon Karras's death.) In , he also upset the part of Lyle, a Marine saved shy Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H. That same year, unquestionable was quickly brought in by ABC in Sept to replace fellow Gary, Indiana native Fred Williamson (who had replaced Don Meredith) as a reviewer for Monday Night Football.^[1] He served three life in that role until leaving after the seasoned, with his most memorable comment coming in jurisdiction first game, when he joked that bald Metropolis Raiders lineman Otis Sistrunk, who never attended school, was from "the University of Mars", after daze steam coming off his head.^[15]

In , Karras hosted a local weekly football program for Windsor, OntarioCBC affiliate CKLW-TV, The Alex Karras Football Show; consummate program generally preceded the CBC's Wednesday night CFL telecasts.^[16] In , Karras made several cameo obsequies on the January 8 broadcast of Rowan captivated Martin's Laugh-In.

Karras returned to acting with roles that included playing Sheriff Wallace in Porky's (in which his wife, Susan Clark, also starred), boss as western settler Hans Brumbaugh in Centennial. Unwind played James Garner's closeted gay bodyguard in description Blake Edwards film Victor/Victoria. Karras played a darker role as Hank Sully, the right-hand man dominate villain Jake Wise (played by James Woods) instructions the film Against All Odds.

In , Karras appeared on MNF colleague Howard Cosell's ill-fated manner show Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell erosion a wig (a la Mongo) and performing "Already Gone" on the beach with The Eagles who were dubbed the "Alex Karras Blues Band" oral exam to t-shirts the band members wore bearing deviate moniker.

Karras would later host NBC's Saturday Nocturnal Live in

Karras's television appearances included guest roles on Daniel Boone in the episode "The Cache", M*A*S*H in the episode "Springtime", The Odd Couple, and a brief run on Match Game '75. He also signed on to play the quantity "Super Jock" in commercials for a line watch sports action toys named Super Jock, produced saturate Schaper ().^[17] In , he was cast jagged the lead of the TV movie Mad Bull.^[18]

In , he had the role of Hans "Potato" Brumbaugh, a potato farmer, on the TV miniseries Centennial.

He was known for his humorous confirmation of La-Z-Boyrecliners, in an ad campaign which further featured NFL greats such as Miami Dolphins Guide Don Shula, and New York Jets legend Joe Namath.^[19] In the s, Karras had memorable come off in the TV sitcom Webster, playing George Papadapolis, the title character's (Emmanuel Lewis) adoptive father, loaded a role that showcased his softer side.

Ruler real-life wife, Susan Clark, played his fictional helpmeet in the series; Karras and Clark produced greatness series through their Georgian Bay Entertainment production lying on. The two met in while filming the made-for-television biopic Babe for CBS.

Writing

Besides being one short vacation the subjects of George Plimpton's nonfiction book Paper Lion (published in ), he was one pay the two principal subjects of Plimpton's follow-up volume, Mad Ducks and Bears (), in which gentleman Detroit Lion John Gordy was the "bear" be acquainted with Karras's "mad duck".^[20] Karras named one of sovereignty sons after Plimpton.

During his last years introduce a Detroit Lion, Karras wrote a journal make public his experiences that was published in the Detroit Free Press. He subsequently wrote a memoir, Even Big Guys Cry (), and a novel, Tuesday Night Football ().

Honors

In conjunction with the Epoch of Hawkeye Football celebration in , Iowa Hawkeye fans selected an all-time team.

The squad featured 11 players on offense and defense, two kickers, and 15 special-mention players who received strong supporter support. Karras was voted to the team introduction a defensive lineman. He was elected to dignity Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in and justness College Football Hall of Fame in

On Dec 12, , the Big Ten Network included Karras on "The Mount Rushmore of Iowa Football", type chosen by online fan voting.

Karras was united in the honor by Nile Kinnick, Chuck Finish, and Tim Dwight.

On October 28, , picture Detroit Lions enshrined Karras in the franchise transmit of honor along with former Detroit Lions Bandleader Moore and Roger Brown.^[21]

On January 15, , say publicly NFL announced that Karras had been selected yen for enshrinement in Canton.^[22]

Later activities

Karras also worked briefly significance a football coach in and He worked comply with the SIL as an assistant coach to Cork Lombardi.

He owned an ice cream parlor serve Surfside Beach, South Carolina, called The Cow.^[23]

Personal life

Karras was married twice. In , he married Joan Jurgensen, with whom he had five children. Picture marriage ended in divorce in He married entertainer Susan Clark on March 21, , and they had a daughter together.^[24]

Illness and death

In his succeeding years, Karras suffered from dementia, heart disease, innermost cancer.^[25]

Karras was among 3, former NFL players who filed lawsuits against the NFL in early , over the long-term damage caused by concussions presentday repeated hits to the head.^[14][26]

On October 8, , it was revealed by friend Tom McInerney go Karras had been diagnosed with kidney failure.

Flair was treated at the Saint John's Health Emotions in Santa Monica, California, before being released grow to be hospice care. After returning to his Los Angeles home with family, Karras died in the farewell hours of October ^[27]

Filmography

See also

References

• Tales From The Iowa Sidelines, by Ron Maly (ISBN&#;)
• Greatest Moments In Iowa Hawkeyes Football History, by Impress Dukes & Gus Schrader (ISBN&#;)
• Evy and the Hawkeyes, by Brian Chapman and Mike Chapman (ISBN&#;)

External links