Merlin Olsen statue unveiled at alma mater
Utah State University unveiled a statue of Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen prior to its game against Hawaii on Saturday. Among those on hand for the ceremony was Hall of Fame President/Executive Director Steve Perry who traveled to Logan and delivered remarks.
{GALLERY}Perry announced that the annual Super Bowl Hall of Fame Luncheon will be named after Olsen. The luncheon, a fundraising event held by Hall of Fame Enterprises, takes place each year in the Super Bowl host city on the Friday before the game.
Olsen was a driving force behind the creation of Hall of Fame Enterprises, a for-profit organization established in 2006 to work with all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum and the National Football League (NFL) to develop marketing programs and conduct events that enable football fans and the general public to have greater access and interactions with Hall of Famers.
The larger-than-life-sized statue of Olsen was sculpted by renowned artist Blair Buswell who also creates the majority of the Hall of Fame's bronzed busts.
Olsen passed away last March at the age of 69.
More from Profootballhof.com:
Merlin Olsen's HOF Bio
A Field for Merlin
Behind the Bronze: Willie Lanier
Slingin’ Sammy first to have 4-pick game
Washington Redskins cornerback De Angelo Hall tied an NFL record when he intercepted four passes in his team's 17-14 win over the Chicago Bears on Oct. 24, 2010. Another Redskins player, Sammy Baugh, was the first to set the mark in 1943.