Former Detroit Lions defensive lineman and NFL star Alex Karras, who also had a career as an actor following his playing days, died on Wednesday at 77.
Karras had suffered from kidney failure this past week and was also diagnosed with dementia. He died at home in Los Angeles with his family, according to Craig Mitnick, Karras' attorney.
Karras was a first round draft pick by the Lions in 1958 after playing his college ball at Iowa, where he won the Outland Trophy in 1957. He quickly became one of the most feared players in the league and played 12 seasons with Detroit.
Following his playing career, Karras had great success as an actor, starring in both films and on television. He had a part as a sheriff in the comedy film "Porky's" and later starred on the sitcom "Webster" as Emmanuel Lewis' adoptive father, George Papadapolis. The show ran for 150 episodes from 1983 to 1987.
Karras starred on the show with his real-life wife Susan Clark, who also played his spouse on the show as well.
"This physical beating that he took as a football player has impacted his life, and therefore it has impacted his family life," Clark told The Associated Press 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."
He also appeared in the Mel Brooks film "Blazing Saddles" and in the Blake Edwards film "Victor Victoria." He once was considered for the role Carlo Rizzi in the legendary 1972 film "The Godfather."
Karras also was featured in a book by writer George Plimpton about playing football in Detroit, titled, "Paper Lion: Confessions of a Second-string Quarterback." The book was adapted into a film and saw Karras play himself. He later became an analyst on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford.
"Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex," Lions president Tom Lewand said.
Karras is also part of the lawsuit against the NFL with 3,500 other players that are suing the league for issues related to safety and head injuries.
"It's the same thing as back in the gladiator days when the gladiators fought to death," Mitnick, who represents Karras and hundreds of others in the suit, has said. "Fans care about these guys when they're playing and they are heroes. But as soon as you're not a hero and not playing the fan doesn't really care what happens to them."
During his career he was suspended one season in 1963 by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle after becoming involved in a gambling probe. The suspension didn't hurt his career and he was later named by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a defensive tackle on the All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
Karras was considered by many players to be one of the best at his position. According to the Associated Press: "Packers guard Jerry Kramer wrote in his diary of the 1967 season about his trepidation over having to play Karras."
"I'm thinking about him every minute," Kramer wrote.
Karras was born in Gary, Ind. and was named to four Pro Bowls in his career. After playing 12 seasons with the Lions, Karras retired at age 35.
"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.' "
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