With the passing of Merlin Olsen this week, NFL famous legend and television stars, the word "mesothelioma" has rippled by the waves and headlines media giants like CNN, the New York Times, and even ESPN. Olsen, 69, was diagnosed last year with mesothelioma.
Some people know him from his days playing defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, where he gained a reputation as one of the "Fearsome Foursome" and was named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowl .
I remember that Charles Ingalls good friend in the TV series "Little House on the Prairie", where he played the gentle giant, often keeping Charles asking for trouble to Sleepy Eye tavern.
In addition to his professional success, Olsen's reputation as a decent charitable man was recalled and immortalized in the last days. In December of last year, his alma mater, the University of Utah State, announced that its football field would be named after him -. Merlin Olsen Field
It is always sad to hear of the loss of a mesothelioma patient. We can only hope that the lack of friendly, well-known face of Olsen can help ignite an awareness much needed on this unnecessary cancer.
