Today is a sad day for NFL fans as one of the game’s legendary players passed away. Merlin Olsen, who played for the Los Angeles Rams for 15 seasons, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 69 years old after a long battle with mesothelioma.

Through his 15 year NFL career, which spanned from 1962 through 1976, Olsen starred on the Los Angeles Rams defensive line that was known around the league as the “fearsome foursome.” Olsen was so wildly successful as a defensive lineman that he was named to 14 consecutive pro bowls, which is an NFL record that he shares with Bruce Matthews.

Beyond the 14 Pro Bowl invitations, Olsen received many accolades for his professional football career. Olsen was named to both the 1960s and 1970s all decade teams and was included on the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team. Olsen was elected into both the Professional Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

After finishing his NFL career, Olsen continued to have enormous professional success. Olsen was a successful actor as he carried prominent roles on “Little House on the Prairie” and “Father Murphy.”

Due to Olsen’s enormous success on and off the field, he was awarded the Walter Camp Man of the Year Award in 1982.