Mongo No Feel Good - Jets Insider.com Forums

FF2® · 10-09-2012, 10:21 AM

Depressing news.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...as-near-death/

'Webster' star and Detroit Lions legend Alex Karras near death
Published October 09, 2012

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...#ixzz28oNvrkvQ

Alex Karras' condition has deteriorated and the NFL team he played for is extending its sympathies.
The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure.
"The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement released by the team late Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex.
The 77-year-old Karras has been suffering from dementia. He is among the many former NFL players suing the league regarding the treatment of head injuries. Detroit drafted him 10th overall out of Iowa in 1958 and he was a standout for 12 seasons.
Karras may be even better well known for his work as an actor, including being a lovable father in the 1980s sitcom "Webster." He also played the role of Mongo in the 1974 comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," in which he said, "Mongo only pawn in game of life," and punched out a horse.
Recently, his wife said his quality of life has been made worse because of head injuries sustained during his playing career.
Susan Clark said earlier this year that her husband couldn't drive after loving to get behind the wheel and he could no longer remember recipes for some of his favorite Italian and Greek dishes he used to cook.
Clark, who also played the wife of Karras' character on "Webster," has said he was formally diagnosed with dementia several years ago and has had symptoms for more than a dozen years. She and Karras were among those who filed suit nearly six months ago in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.
"This physical beating that he took as a football player has impacted his life, and therefore it has impacted his family life," Clark said earlier this year. "He is interested in making the game of football safer and hoping that other families of retired players will have a healthier and happier retirement."
The NFL has said it did not intentionally seek to mislead players and has taken action to better protect players and to advance the science of concussion management and treatment.
Karras played his entire NFL career with the Lions before retiring in 1970 at age 35. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1960, 1961 and 1965, and he made the Pro Bowl four times. He missed the 1963 season when he was suspended by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in a gambling probe. Karras was recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a defensive tackle on the All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
"We know Alex first and foremost as one of the cornerstones to our Fearsome Foursome defensive line of the 1960s and also as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL," Lewand said. "Many others across the country came to know Alex as an accomplished actor and as an announcer during the early years of `Monday Night Football.'
"We join his legions of fans from both sports and entertainment in prayer and support for Alex, his wife Susan, and his entire family during this most difficult time."

FF2® · 10-09-2012, 10:22 AM

32green · 10-09-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF2®

He also played the role of Mongo in the 1974 comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," in which he said, "Mongo only pawn in game of life," and punched out a horse.

I wonder if this would fit on his tombstone.

-

Big L · 10-09-2012, 10:37 AM

Mongo like candy.

FF2® · 10-09-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32green

I wonder if this would fit on his tombstone.

-

He was great on that show with Gary Coleman.

Fishooked · 10-09-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF2®

He was great on that show with Gary Coleman.

FF2® · 10-09-2012, 10:58 AM

And dont forget his Sheriff role in Porky's, the largest grossing film in the history of Canadian film making.

Timmy® · 10-09-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF2®

He was great on that show with Gary Coleman.

It was no Good Times

thebigragu · 10-09-2012, 01:05 PM

Mr Belvedere sucked.

Peebag · 10-10-2012, 11:54 PM

RIP Alex.

WestCoastOffensive · 10-11-2012, 01:25 AM

Punching horses was straight gangsta in 1974. My pinhead buddies and me couldn't get enough Alex Karras back then. Very funny man; he was a host of SNL once. Great sense of timing.

RIP AK

jetstream23 · 10-11-2012, 01:29 AM

Bummer.

RIP.

parkwayjet1 · 10-11-2012, 07:47 AM

I thought Karras was good in "Paper Lion" - based on the true story of George Plimpton going "undercover" as a supposed rookie QB trying out for Detroit. Of course Karras just had to play himself, a football player, but he also had some scenes where he actually had to act a little.

crossfire · 10-11-2012, 08:22 AM

32green · 10-11-2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossfire

He was mongo before everyone in the hampur was mongo.. and that's not easy.

-

10-09-2012, 10:21 AM	#1
FF2® Believes Sloppy Guy was involved JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46,589	Mongo No Feel Good Depressing news. http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...as-near-death/ 'Webster' star and Detroit Lions legend Alex Karras near death Published October 09, 2012 Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...#ixzz28oNvrkvQ Alex Karras' condition has deteriorated and the NFL team he played for is extending its sympathies. The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure. "The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement released by the team late Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex. The 77-year-old Karras has been suffering from dementia. He is among the many former NFL players suing the league regarding the treatment of head injuries. Detroit drafted him 10th overall out of Iowa in 1958 and he was a standout for 12 seasons. Karras may be even better well known for his work as an actor, including being a lovable father in the 1980s sitcom "Webster." He also played the role of Mongo in the 1974 comedy classic "Blazing Saddles," in which he said, "Mongo only pawn in game of life," and punched out a horse. Recently, his wife said his quality of life has been made worse because of head injuries sustained during his playing career. Susan Clark said earlier this year that her husband couldn't drive after loving to get behind the wheel and he could no longer remember recipes for some of his favorite Italian and Greek dishes he used to cook. Clark, who also played the wife of Karras' character on "Webster," has said he was formally diagnosed with dementia several years ago and has had symptoms for more than a dozen years. She and Karras were among those who filed suit nearly six months ago in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. "This physical beating that he took as a football player has impacted his life, and therefore it has impacted his family life," Clark said earlier this year. "He is interested in making the game of football safer and hoping that other families of retired players will have a healthier and happier retirement." The NFL has said it did not intentionally seek to mislead players and has taken action to better protect players and to advance the science of concussion management and treatment. Karras played his entire NFL career with the Lions before retiring in 1970 at age 35. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1960, 1961 and 1965, and he made the Pro Bowl four times. He missed the 1963 season when he was suspended by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in a gambling probe. Karras was recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a defensive tackle on the All-Decade Team of the 1960s. "We know Alex first and foremost as one of the cornerstones to our Fearsome Foursome defensive line of the 1960s and also as one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL," Lewand said. "Many others across the country came to know Alex as an accomplished actor and as an announcer during the early years of `Monday Night Football.' "We join his legions of fans from both sports and entertainment in prayer and support for Alex, his wife Susan, and his entire family during this most difficult time."

10-09-2012, 10:22 AM	#2
FF2® Believes Sloppy Guy was involved JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46,589

10-09-2012, 10:37 AM	#4
Big L No post count, no peace! No post count, no peace! Veteran Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: It's all relative Posts: 1,186	Mongo like candy.

10-09-2012, 10:58 AM	#7
FF2® Believes Sloppy Guy was involved JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46,589	And dont forget his Sheriff role in Porky's, the largest grossing film in the history of Canadian film making.

10-09-2012, 01:05 PM	#9
thebigragu Downright Brilliant All Pro Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 7,870	Mr Belvedere sucked.

10-10-2012, 11:54 PM	#10
Peebag ga;sdl;fja;;sdfj All Pro Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: great midwest -well not so great Posts: 7,185	RIP Alex.

10-11-2012, 01:25 AM	#11
WestCoastOffensive Didn't pull the pin - got blasted anyway Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SF via Strong Island Posts: 26,972	Punching horses was straight gangsta in 1974. My pinhead buddies and me couldn't get enough Alex Karras back then. Very funny man; he was a host of SNL once. Great sense of timing. RIP AK

10-11-2012, 01:29 AM	#12
jetstream23 recovering from turf toe Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ (New Jets Stadium Section 246) Posts: 31,711	Bummer. RIP.

10-11-2012, 07:47 AM	#13
parkwayjet1 Hall Of Fame Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Valley Stream, N.Y. Posts: 2,896	I thought Karras was good in "Paper Lion" - based on the true story of George Plimpton going "undercover" as a supposed rookie QB trying out for Detroit. Of course Karras just had to play himself, a football player, but he also had some scenes where he actually had to act a little.

10-11-2012, 08:22 AM	#14
crossfire Day by day, night after night... Blinded by the neon light Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,706