Merlin Olsen Quotes & Sayings

“One of life's most painful moments comes when we must admit that we didn't do our homework, that we are not prepared.”

“I was captain and should have set the example. I would lift a minimum of weights. Mine was natural physical strength. I always thought quickness and agility were much more important.”

“Our coach was absolutely out of his head. He must have read Bear Bryant's book. We had 78 players out. The first day 35 quit. Twenty quit the second day. We ended with 17 players. It was depressing.”

“Nobody cared about swimming. You could draw a crowd for basketball.”

“It took me a while to realize that basketball wasn't football.”

“You are the land. The land is you.”

“Our whole philosophy was to intimidate the quarterback. We were able to do it. We were pioneers. People still recognize us as, maybe, the best defensive line of all time.”

“The basketball coach cut me within two days, so I was back in the pool. I was the first one in the wall after the first 25 yards, but the last one out because I didn't have a flip turn.”

“I probably played hurt a lot more times than I should have.”

“Team doctors' jobs those days were to keep you on the field.”