According to the AP report, details of the settlement were not disclosed by Olsen’s family. The notice of settlement was filed in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, according to the AP report.

Merlin Olsen was a native of Logan, Utah. He played football for Utah State University and earned All-American honors during his junior and senior years. He went on to play professional football as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, where he was part of the “Fearsome Foursome” in the 1960s. Following his pro ball career, he worked as a sports broadcaster for both NBC and ABC.

Olsen is perhaps best remembered among younger generations for his television career outside the sports booth, with roles on the popular TV shows “Little House on the Prairie,” and as the title character in “Father Murphy,” and on “Aaron’s Way.” Additionally, he appeared in a number of television commercials throughout the years.

On December 8, 2009, Utah State University announced it would name its football field after him – Merlin Olsen Field. Sadly, he did not live long enough to see a USU team play on the field bearing his name.

Sources:
The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)
ESPN.com

SOURCE: myMeso › Merlin Olsen family settles asbestos lawsuit

Olsen was a star defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams football team, who went on to a television acting career. He played Jonathan Garvey on the series Little House on the Prairie and was the title character of Father Murphy. He also appeared on Fathers and Sons and Aaron’s Way, and filled the role of sportscaster at both CBS and NBC.

Online celebrity news magazine TMZ broke the news in December that Olsen and his family had filed a lawsuit against several companies, including NBC Studios, NBC Universal and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, claiming they were responsible for exposing him to asbestos, which causes mesothelioma. Also named in the suit are Sherwin Williams and Lennox Industries, whose products Olsen says he was exposed to during jobs in his youth.

Read his obituary in the Los Angeles Times.

On December 8, 2009, his alma mater, Utah State University, where he was selected twice as an NCAA All-American, among other honors, announced it would name its football field after him – Merlin Olsen Field. How truly sad that he will never see a team take the field that now bears his name. Watch the tribute video created by the university at the announcement:

What a sad loss of a man who truly seemed to care genuinely for others, for his family and his community. He will be genuinely missed.

SOURCE: myMeso › Mesothelioma claims the life of Merlin Olsen

Olsen was a professional football player for the Los Angeles Rams team, and later had a successful career as a sportscaster and actor, most notably on shows “Little House on the Prairie” and “Father Murphy.”

According to the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the defendants “were engaged in the business of manufacturing, fabricating, designing, assembling, distributing, leasing, buying, selling, inspecting, servicing, installing, repairing, marketing, warranting and advertising a certain substance the generic name of which is asbestos.”

News reports say Olsen, with wife Susan by his side, is fighting his mesothelioma and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Read the complaint.

SOURCE: myMeso › Football, television star Merlin Olsen diagnosed with mesothelioma