Alex Karras, former NFL lineman and actor, has died at his home in Los Angeles, his attorney said. He was 77.
He was one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles for the Detroit Lions from 1958-70.
He tried his hand in acting after an illustrious career in football.
“Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex,” AP quoted Lions president Tom Lewand as saying.
Born in Gary, Ind., Karras starred for four years at Iowa and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Detroit drafted him with the 10th overall pick in 1958, and he was a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle over 12 seasons with the franchise.
“Alex Karras was an outstanding player during a time when the NFL emerged as America’s favorite sport,” the league said in a statement. “He will always be remembered as one of the most colorful characters in NFL history.”
In the 1980s, he played a sheriff in the comedy “Porky’s” and became a hit on TV as Emmanuel Lewis’ adoptive father, George Papadapolis, in the sitcom “Webster.”
“I had a very heavy heart this morning and I did not know why. I understand now,” Lewis said. “Rest in peace, my friend.”
Karras later wrote an autobiography, “Even Big Guys Cry,” and two other books, “Alex Karras’ and “Tuesday Night Football.”
In addition to Clark, his wife of 37 years, he is survived by their daughter and his four children from his first marriage to the late Joan Powell.
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