Merlin Olson. It was always good to have a true Norsman on the sports page every week. He was sort of the large Scandinavian uncle I never had. My frame of reference aren't the popular ones -- which makes this more special.

My Merin Olsen wasn't really a lineman (pre-dated me). Nor was he Father Dowling. Shows like "Little House" were for girls. My Merlin was the sporetscaster who got pulled in for all the big time games. If Merlin was on a game, you know it was a big deal. Stoic. Detached. Able to throw on a helmet at a moment's notice and whup some ass. That was my Merlin.

It's funny. People in the public eye morph into so many roles and personas over the years, it really does feel like we live multiple lives. For Merlin, there were the three public lives that we know so well (player, sportscaster, actor), but you wonder about his less public existence.What were his middle school years like? How has the last year been?

Celebrities like Merlin are by subscription only. You get the public stuff free, but you need much better access to receive unlimited Merlin.

Merlin appeared to be a good man and certainly played some endearing roles. For my money,the one I will miss the most was his sportscaster.