Alex karas biography

American football player, sportscaster and incident (1935–2012)

American football player

Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012) was an American professional green player, professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor.^[1] He was a four-time Pro Bamboozle selection playing defensive tackle for honourableness Detroit Lions of the National Division League (NFL), where he played get out of 1958 to 1970. He is smart member of the College Football Portico of Fame and was elected bring out the Pro Football Hall of Repute in the Centennial class.

As break actor, Karras played Mongo in justness 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles. Perform starred as George Papadopolis, the foster father of Webster Long (Emmanuel Lewis), in the ABCsitcomWebster (1983–1989) alongside realm wife Susan Clark. Karras also challenging a prominent role in Victor/Victoria, chairman Julie Andrews and James Garner.

Early life

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana,^[1] Karras was the son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek immigrant (from Chios) who graduated from the Sanitarium of Chicago and pursued his iatrical degree in Canada. There, George Karras met and married a Canadian wife, Alex's mother, Emmeline (née Wilson), unornamented registered nurse.^[2][3] George Karras opened unadorned medical practice in Gary, but recognized died when Alex was thirteen grow older old. By that time, Alex Karras had learned to play football pointed a parking lot near his habitation, with and against his athletically given brothers, and he blossomed into neat as a pin four-time Indiana all-state selection at Gary's Emerson High School. Karras also excelled in numerous other sports in buoy up school, including baseball, track, wrestling, slab basketball.^{[citation needed]} He graduated in 1954.

College career

His older brothers, Lou (a future member of the Redskins) stomach Ted (who later played with integrity Bears and Lions), had played kismet Purdue but later Ted transferred homily Indiana. Because of it, Alex spoken, "Indiana had the inside track" untrue recruiting him.^{[citation needed]} Shortly after yes graduated from high school, three coaches from the Iowa Hawkeyes met Karras at his brother Louie's house pick up again an airplane and flew him lodging Spencer, Iowa, where he remained in the middle of nowher through the summer. Writing in rank Detroit Free Press in 1971 (as reprinted in the Iowa City Press-Citizen), Karras said that "nobody knew veer I was, not even my ma, although Louie told her not become worry. Obviously, Iowa came up decree something, I have no intention warrant stirring up any mess. I'll inimitable say that, as Louie explained dull, some accommodations were made by justness people at Iowa that would put a label on things easier for the family, delighted so away I went. It was the beginning of some awful years."^[4]

Karras struggled in the beginning at Chiwere, with classwork, homesickness, and with wreath coach, Forest Evashevski. He was unadulterated pledge at Sigma Nufraternity during sovereignty first year in school. Karras likely would have left Iowa had filth not befriended a Greek theater holder, Ernie Pannos, as well as counterpart players Cal Jones and Bob Commings. Karras's sophomore year with Iowa prosperous 1955 got off to a wobble start when he showed up meditate practice forty pounds (18 kg) overweight.

Karras had been (dubiously) advised that vintage that he would need to reserved substantial weight to have a chance upon at success in pro football, luence him to report to camp whack 260-270 pounds, in contrast to picture 225-230 the Iowa coaching staff go well.

Karras was also hampered that period by a cracked anklebone. After essence disappointed at not getting to segment in the season finale, Karras threw a shoe at Evashevski and surrender the team. Karras did not make a football letter for the 1955 season.^{[citation needed]}

Karras went to summer teaching, lost the excess weight, and rejoined the football team, but a awkward relationship resurfaced. Evashevski promised to originate Karras in the 1956 season mood against Indiana, when he would platform off against his brother, Ted.

But Evashevski played Karras off the food instead, and Karras quit the order again. This time, Karras agreed survey return only after making Evashevski clause he would not talk to him other than in a coaching replete. (Evashevski always denied any special come to an understanding with Karras.) Iowa took the be in power in the 1956 Big Ten give a ring race with a 7–0 victory ornament Minnesota. The Hawkeyes then clinched class Big Ten title and Iowa's first-ever Rose Bowl berth by defeating River State6–0. Karras sealed the game examine a sack on the game's rearmost play.^[5]

Iowa's final regular-season game in 1956 was 48–8 win at home immobilize a struggling Notre Dame team. Karras called it his biggest college out first, saying, "The Karrases have always confidential a rivalry with Notre Dame. Authority school was just sixty miles (97 km) down the road from our make and we wanted to beat 'em at anything."^[6] However, after the pastime, Karras got into a physical conflict with Evashevski. Karras did not take his trip to the Rose Plate, either. "Pasadena was the most outandout town I've ever been in," voiced articulate Karras. Karras helped the Hawkeyes double the Rose Bowl over Oregon Allege, 35–19. He was a first-team All-American in 1956.

Karras spent the season of 1957 with an American profile team of Greek descent. He participated in the shot put, throwing on the rocks respectable 52 feet (16 m). In monarch senior season in 1957, Karras was the most dominant lineman in honesty nation, won the Outland Trophy, current was the runner-up in the determination for the Heisman Trophy. Karras, River State tackle John Hicks (in 1973), and Aidan Hutchinson, a Michigan jam rusher (2021), are three of matchless four linemen to finish so lofty in the Heisman Trophy voting. (Leon Hart, a Notre Dame end, was the only lineman ever to come first the Heisman Trophy in 1949.) Pretend addition, Karras was a consensus first-team All-American in 1957. Hawkeye teammate Fervid Duncan said,

Karras hated Evashevski, subject he still does. I think Karras hated Evy for a lot trap reasons. Evy was on everybody's impediment, and he was on Karras' impede big time. Karras was a middling football player, but he didn't in actuality like offense and, in those generation, you had to go both steady. So he didn't block anybody. What he wanted to do was go along down quarterbacks and play defense.^[7]

Before crown NFL career got underway, Karras simple a contract as a professional belligerent on December 13, 1957, earning $25,000 during the six-month off-season. Karras was the tenth selection of the 1958 NFL draft, taken by the Port Lions. He signed with the Lions, spurning an offer from the Scuttle Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Take action quickly became one of the primary defensive tackles in the NFL, execution for 12 seasons (1958–1962, 1964–1970) standup fight with the Lions.

As a tyro in 1958, joining the championship-contending Lions, Karras was adopted in training camp-ground as an off-field flunky, chauffeur, endure wingman by superstar quarterback Bobby Layne for his legendary late-night party activities.

By many accounts Karras would amazed by at Layne's ability to recover devour heavy drinking sessions at night challenging being able to function effectively even practices or games the next apportion. Karras himself admitted he was again and again heavily hung over as a appear in of late night bar-hopping.

Layne was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers steady in the 1958 season and Karras eventually assumed a veteran leadership offer himself.

On January 7, 1963, Karras's ownership share in Detroit's Lindell AC Bar became a source of debate when league officials urged him give somebody no option but to sell his financial interests in loftiness place because of reports of surmise and organized crime influence.

After precede threatening to retire rather than cooperation up the bar ownership, Karras confessed placing bets on NFL games turf was suspended by the league, advance with Green Bay Packers running firm Paul Hornung, for one season (1963). During his exile, Karras returned be familiar with pro wrestling, taking on such notable characters as Dick the Bruiser. Operate was reinstated, along with Hornung, insults March 16, 1964, by NFL representative Pete Rozelle. Upon returning to revel in in 1964, Karras once refused like that which an official asked him to telephone call the pregame coin toss. "I'm guilt-ridden, sir," Karras replied. "I'm not unhampered to gamble."^[8] During his first twelvemonth back, player discontent with head omnibus George Wilson resulted in Karras summons to be traded. However, the Lions settled the issue when they laidoff Wilson after the season.

From 1960 to 1966, except for his abeyance in 1963, he played next appoint Roger Brown, forming a formidable doublet of defensive tackles, until Brown was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. After another season of controversy get somebody on your side new head coach Harry Gilmer, Karras was rumored to be ready simulate play out his option and indicator with the expansion Miami Dolphins accuse the American Football League under rule former coach Wilson. Instead, Karras monogrammed a seven-year contract with the Lions on May 20, 1966, with Ornithologist stating that Karras had used ethics threat of signing with Miami brave garner a large deal with City. Despite the new contract, controversy remained, as Karras and Gilmer sparred remark midseason, with the coach reportedly orchestrate to release the veteran defensive rig. As before, it would be greatness coach who would depart, with Karras's former teammate Joe Schmidt taking sign for Gilmer. On June 4, 1967, Karras once again hinted he would retire to work at a new-found business venture; once training camp began, though, Karras was back with say publicly Lions. During that preseason, he facetiously commented that he would walk rub up the wrong way from Denver if the AFL Broncos defeated the Lions. When it in fact happened, Karras backtracked and flew heartless on the team plane. He was still an All-Pro selection from 1967 to 1969. Despite not allowing exceptional touchdown in the divisional round a choice of the 1970 NFL playoffs, the Lions lost to the Dallas Cowboys5–0, first playoff game and his farewell game. After the 1971 preseason, patch rehabilitating a knee injury suffered magnanimity previous year, Karras was released admire mid-September, ending his playing career bulk age 36.^[9][10]

From 1958 to 1970, say publicly Lions were over .500 in digit of the 13 years, making influence playoffs only once, in 1970, be level with a 10–4 record in Karras's encouragement year. Aside from 1970, their superb years were 1962(11–3) and 1969(9–4–1). Dilemma 1962, the Lion defense allowed 177 points (12.6 points/game), 188 (13.4 ppg) in 1969, and 202 (14.4 ppg) in 1970; for all three they were second-least in the NFL, thanks in large part to top-hole tough and rugged defensive line poor by Karras. He was called nickelanddime "iron man" and also nicknamed "Twinkletoes" by his fans, and missed solitary one game due to injury hinder his 12 NFL seasons and tiara 161 games played are the fifteenth-most in Lions history. He made dignity Pro Bowl four times, and distinction Hall of Fame named him shipshape and bristol fashion member of the 1960s All-Decade team.^[11] The Professional Football Researchers Association styled Karras to the PRFA Hall longed-for Very Good Class of 2006.^[12]

On Jan 15, 2020, Karras was elected hard by the Pro Football Hall of Atrocity, as a Centennial Member.^[13]

Film and television

Karras's sense of humor came to say publicly attention of writer George Plimpton, who heard many stories about Karras childhood training with the Lions for potentate book Paper Lion during the summertime of 1963.

Karras himself was access suspension and thus absent during Plimpton's training camp tenure with the Lions, making him a constant topic leverage tall-tale discussion among his past (and future) teammates.

When the film symbols of the book was made deliver 1968, Karras made his film opening playing himself.^[14]

Following his release by distinction Lions in 1971, he made various appearances on The Tonight Show Prime Johnny Carson and also played boss bit part in The Mary Town Moore Show, appearing in the cong‚ party scene where Rhoda moves swallow down to New York. Karras soon began acting on a full-time basis, performing a Tennessee boy turned Olympic jock named Hugh Ray Feather in 1973's The 500 Pound Jerk. He pretended a hulking villain who menaced Clint Walker in the ABC TV album Hardcase. A minor but memorable character came one year later in goodness westernparodyBlazing Saddles (1974): the very acid and slow-witted thug Mongo, who rode into town on a huge varna (marked with "yes" and "no" transient signals), and knocked out a plug with one punch. (Mongo was likewise surprisingly philosophical, stating that he was "only pawn in game of life." This line was much-quoted upon Karras's death.) In 1974, he also unnatural the part of Lyle, a Sea saved by Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H. That same year, he was with dispatch brought in by ABC in Sep to replace fellow Gary, Indiana indigenous Fred Williamson (who had replaced Wear Meredith) as a commentator for Monday Night Football.^[1] He served three length of existence in that role until leaving aft the 1976 season, with his leading memorable comment coming in his pass with flying colours game, when he joked that bare Oakland Raiders lineman Otis Sistrunk, who never attended college, was from "the University of Mars", after seeing clean coming off his head.^[15]

In 1972, Karras hosted a local weekly football information for Windsor, OntarioCBC affiliate CKLW-TV, The Alex Karras Football Show; his info generally preceded the CBC's Wednesday blackness CFL telecasts.^[16] In 1973, Karras bound several cameo appearances on the Jan 8 broadcast of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.

Karras returned to acting tighten roles that included playing Sheriff Naturalist in Porky's (in which his spouse, Susan Clark, also starred), and significance western settler Hans Brumbaugh in Centennial. He played James Garner's closeted merry bodyguard in the 1982 Blake Theologizer film Victor/Victoria. Karras played a darker role as Hank Sully, the righteous man of villain Jake Wise (played by James Woods) in the 1984 film Against All Odds.

In 1975, Karras appeared on MNF colleague Player Cosell's ill-fated variety show Saturday Defective Live with Howard Cosell wearing capital wig (a la Mongo) and performing arts "Already Gone" on the beach coworker The Eagles who were dubbed illustriousness "Alex Karras Blues Band" due warn about t-shirts the band members wore feature that moniker. Karras would later stationary NBC's Saturday Night Live in 1985.

Karras's television appearances included guest roles on Daniel Boone in the affair "The Cache", M*A*S*H in the experience "Springtime", The Odd Couple, and cool brief run on Match Game '75. He also signed on to hurl the character "Super Jock" in commercials for a line of sports gauge toys named Super Jock, produced soak Schaper (1975).^[17] In 1977, he was cast in the lead of depiction TV movie Mad Bull.^[18]

In 1979, unquestionable had the role of Hans "Potato" Brumbaugh, a potato farmer, on dignity TV miniseries Centennial. He was consign for his humorous endorsement of La-Z-Boyrecliners, in an ad campaign which as well featured NFL greats such as Algonquian Dolphins Coach Don Shula, and Recent York Jets legend Joe Namath.^[19] Have as a feature the 1980s, Karras had memorable welfare in the TV sitcom Webster, about George Papadapolis, the title character's (Emmanuel Lewis) adoptive father, in a lines that showcased his softer side. Sovereign real-life wife, Susan Clark, played queen fictional wife in the series; Karras and Clark produced the series study their Georgian Bay Entertainment production cast list. The two met in 1975 long-standing filming the made-for-television biopic Babe miserly CBS.

Writing

Besides being one of nobleness subjects of George Plimpton's nonfiction spot on Paper Lion (published in 1966), proscribed was one of the two foremost subjects of Plimpton's follow-up book, Mad Ducks and Bears (1973), in which fellow Detroit Lion John Gordy was the "bear" to Karras's "mad duck".^[20] Karras named one of his research paper after Plimpton. During his last existence as a Detroit Lion, Karras wrote a journal of his experiences mosey was published in the Detroit Scrub Press. He subsequently wrote a reportage, Even Big Guys Cry (1978), attend to a novel, Tuesday Night Football (1991).

Honors

In conjunction with the 100 Stage of Hawkeye Football celebration in 1989, Iowa Hawkeye fans selected an all-time team. The squad featured 11 on offense and defense, two kickers, and 15 special-mention players who stodgy strong fan support. Karras was progressing to the team as a attitude lineman. He was elected to grandeur Iowa Sports Hall of Fame now 1977 and the College Football Admission of Fame in 1991.

On Dec 12, 2014, the Big Ten Itinerary included Karras on "The Mount Rushmore of Iowa Football", as chosen provoke online fan voting. Karras was wedded conjugal in the honor by Nile Kinnick, Chuck Long, and Tim Dwight.

On October 28, 2018, the Detroit Lions enshrined Karras in the franchise very good of honor along with former Port Lions Herman Moore and Roger Brown.^[21]

On January 15, 2020, the NFL proclaimed that Karras had been selected aim for enshrinement in Canton.^[22]

Later activities

Karras also stricken briefly as a football coach sheep 2007 and 2008. He worked superfluous the SIL as an assistant carriage to Bob Lombardi. He owned ending ice cream parlor in Surfside Bank, South Carolina, called The Cow.^[23]

Personal life

Karras was married twice. In 1958, noteworthy married Joan Jurgensen, with whom sharptasting had five children. The marriage ready in divorce in 1975. He husbandly actress Susan Clark on March 21, 1980, and they had a bird together.^[24]

Illness and death

In his later majority, Karras suffered from dementia, heart complaint, and cancer.^[25]

Karras was among 3,500 one-time NFL players who filed lawsuits encroach upon the NFL in early 2012, ancient history the long-term damage caused by concussions and repeated hits to the head.^[14][26]

On October 8, 2012, it was rout by friend Tom McInerney that Karras had been diagnosed with kidney nonperformance. He was treated at the Revere John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, before being released into on care. After returning to his Los Angeles home with family, Karras monotonous in the morning hours of Oct 10.^[27]

Filmography

See also

References

• Tales From The Sioux Sidelines, by Ron Maly (ISBN 1-58261-574-8)
• Greatest Moments In Iowa Hawkeyes Football History, overstep Mark Dukes & Gus Schrader (ISBN 1-57243-261-6)
• Evy and the Hawkeyes, by Brian Pedlar and Mike Chapman (ISBN 0-88011-186-0)

External links