Alex Karras (1935–2012,) fully Alexander George Karras, was an American football player, professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor. He often spoke out against team owners and lamented the way players were treated.
Born in Gary, Indiana, Karras played on the University of Iowa football team that won the Rose Bowl in 1957. He also wrestled professionally briefly. Karras was the stalwart defensive lineman (1958–70) for the National Football League (NFL) Detroit Lions. He was considered one of the fiercest tackles in the NFL-he played on four All-Pro teams in the 1960s and was named to the All-Decade team of the 1960s.
Karras served as a commentator on TV’s Monday Night Football (1974–76) before enjoying a career as a character actor in Hollywood films, notably in such zany comedies like Blazing Saddles (1974) and Victor Victoria (1982.) He also starred on the television sitcom Webster (1983–89.)
Karras had dementia from 2005—he attributed it to his playing days and joined a lawsuit from 3,500 former players against the NFL, arguing that the league had failed to protect them from long-term damage caused by concussions and repeated hits to the head.
Karras’s autobiography is Even Big Guys Cry (1978.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Alex Karras
It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more “manhood” to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.
—Alex Karras
Topics: Courage, Cancer, Attitude
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