Alex Karras was a giant in football, and a mean one at that. But off the field, he was an bigger presence.
Funny, flawed, durable, direct, bitter, brave and talented, Karras was all these things during 12 seasons as a defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions in 1958-70 -- and during a successful film and television career that followed.
Karras, 77, died about 3 a.m. today, surrounded by his family at his home in Los Angeles, after suffering from dementia and kidney failure. He was part of a large group of former players suing the NFL for head trauma.
"He's not suffering, that's the big thing," said Tom McInerney, owner of McInerneys Woodhaven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and a friend of Karras since the 1950s. "That's the most important thing right now."
Pat Studstill, Karras good friend and former teammate as receiver for the Lions, lived near Karras in Los Angeles the past 30 years. He visited Karras on Tuesday morning but said his old friend was heavily medicated and appeared to be in coma.
I just broke up, Studstill said. I couldnt keep it together. I whispered in his ear that I was there, and Katie, his daughter, said, He hears you. But I know he didnt.
Its just a terrible, terrible thing. Im glad I got to go, though, to see him. It was so sad. The big lummox. Hes one of the sweetest guys youd ever meet.
• Related: How we'll remember Alex Karras
While recalling Karras life and accomplishments, friends, former players and teammates marveled at his professional versatility and success. But above all, they remembered Karras domination on the field as part of the vaunted Fearsome Foursome defensive line with Darris McCord, Roger Brown and Sam Williams.
He was thought of, at the time, as the best defensive lineman in football, said former rival Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end with the Chicago Bears. I know there was (Gene) Big Daddy Lipscomb. There were a lot of guys. But he was the best.
Ditka counted himself lucky that Bears coach George Halas never asked him to go against Karras one-on-one.
I think if Halas would have put a play in where I had to block him, I would have said, No, thanks, Ditka said.
Flags were lowered to half-mast today at the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park. Team president Tom Lewand released a statement: On behalf of the William Clay Ford Family and the entire Detroit Lions organization, we extend our deepest sympathies to Susan, the Karras family and to all of Alexs friends and fans across the country. While his legacy reached far beyond the gridiron, we always will fondly remember Alex as one of our own and also as one of the best to ever wear the Honolulu blue and silver.
Longtime linebacker Wayne Walker and Karras were Lions rookies in 1958 and were training-camp roommates early in their careers. Walker developed a special appreciation for all of Karras talents.
Alex was probably the most individual man/football player ever, Walker said. He was just so original. There was no one like him before and there wont be anyone like him after. He had this Jackie Gleason-type body and, God, he could really play. He could really play. He threw offensive linemen around.
By todays NFL standards, and perhaps even those of his era, Karras was undersized for a defensive tackle, at about 6-feet-2 and 248 pounds. He also wore thick glasses and struggled to see without them on the field. And he had small legs.
So that, in itself, says a lot about his ability to accomplish the things that he did, Lions Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders said, because he didnt have the stature of Rosie Greer or Roger Brown. He was just a short, stocky kid that smoked a cigar.
The cigar became one of Karras trademark symbols, even making some appearances in the locker room showers. Karras also didnt work out. He preferred cigars to sit-ups and beers to barbells.
He was 6-2, 260, and in the weight room, he never lifted weights, Walker said. Once a year, hed come in, smoke a cigar, trim down to his shorts, get under the barbell and bench-press 300 pounds twice. Hed dress, and youd never see him in the weight room again.
Karras made four Pro Bowls in his career and missed only one game over 12 seasons. He also was suspended for the 1963 season, after he and some teammates bet on the 1962 NFL championship game.
In 63, Karras made a big splash when he took on Dick the Bruiser in a pro-wrestling match at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.
"For that one night's work, I made $17,000 -- $4,000 more than I made with the Lions, " Karras told the Free Press in 2003. "Actually, I think I made more money working for Hoot and Tom McInerney selling cars in the off-season than I did in my football career. But that was a different era and before agents."
The wrestling match was one of Karras first tastes of the limelight away from football. He later played himself in the 1968 movie version of George Plimptons book Paper Lion. He also worked as an analyst for ABCs Monday Night Football in 1974-76 and garnered acclaim for his comedic turn as the slow-witted brute Mongo in the 1974 Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles. He also starred opposite his wife, Susan Clark, in the hit 1980s TV series Webster.
"He was a giant of a man with a big heart, a great sense of humor, and very grounded outlook on life," actor Emmanuel Lewis, who played Karras' adoptive son, Webster, told si.com. "He might have towered over you . . . but he had a knack of being able get down to your level without being small about it."
Walker always saw Karras natural showmanship.
He was Mr. Show Business in the locker room and the dorm, Walker said. He could sing, he could dance, he was funny. He was a natural for that.
And then Mongo, I mean, God, give me a break. Youd look at Mongo even now, and you cant picture anyone else playing him except Alex, can you? No, nuh-uh. Who would have made ever a better Mongo? No one.
Many teammates and former players also have a hard time picturing the Pro Football Hall of Fame without Karras. There is plenty of speculation about why Karras has not gained entrance. Some think its because his gambling was widespread. Some say its because he never apologized to commissioner Pete Rozelle for the betting.
Its just incredible to me that hes not in the Hall of Fame, Walker said. He was, by far, the best defensive lineman in the league in our era. Nobody was better than him. He ragdolled people with his pass rush. He was so quick and so strong.
Ditka had harsh words for the NFL and its Hall of Fame selection committee.
I think they aught to get over that, Ditka said of Karras gambling. That was a long time ago, and it had no reflection on how he played the game. Hes a Hall of Fame football player, believe me.
Services are pending, and in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Bioneers, Greenpeace Foundation or the Pesticide Action Network.
Contact Carlos Monarrez: 313-222-6697 or cmonarrez@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez. Dave Birkett contributed to this report.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario