Alex Karras ... RIP

That's tough to hear.

You're not kidding about Karras and the Packers. He led the charge in the famous Thanksgiving Day game where Bart was sacked, what, 12 times? Fuzzy Thurston always said that was the day they patented the "lookout" block, namely the ball gets snapped, the Lions blow through and Fuzzy yells to Bart "look out!"

Other than Lombardi and Kramer himself, Karras was the star of Kramer's Instant Replay. Jerry was obsessed with him. As for Karras' feelings, he was at a banquet honoring Kramer the year after Instant Replay came out. He announced to the audience:

"I'm pleased to be here to honor Jerry Kramer, the best guard in football.

If you don't believe me, just read Jerry's book!"

Mongo sad...

I was fascinated with this book when I was 11 or 12 or so:



Lots of good insight into those Lions, including Karras.

That he lived to 77 given what he put his body through is a miracle in and of itself. Probably like a normal human being making it to 97.

quote:

Probably like a normal human being making it to 97. 107

F

This was a pretty good read, too:

Never saw him play - but they've let a lot of mediocre/borderline guys into the HOF the last 15 years. Shouldn't he be in there already, along with Jerry Kramer?

When I was 10 or 11 years old, my Grandpa gave me a paperback book that came with some shaving cream he had bought. It was called "From Out Of The Huddle", and was just random anecdotes about football, players, and coaches; all of which were as funny as can be.
One anecdote was about Karras, who in the middle of a game that wasn't going well for the Lions, approached a referee after a play and asked, "Hey, Ref, can I be penalized for what I'm thinking?".
The reply was no, he couldn't be penalized for that.
Karras then said, "Good! Because I think you're a losy ref!"

Old Jim Valvano joke.

I didn't realize Karras played with Lance Easley.

quote:

Originally posted by Brak:
I was fascinated with this book when I was 11 or 12 or so:



Lots of good insight into those Lions, including Karras.

Ditto. That and Instant Replay - I ate 'em up. Karras was big entertainment for this 10 year old. Another brick from the 60's era fades away.

RIP

Mongo only pawn in game of life. RIP to one of the NFL's all-time characters.

dang

I'm sure there will be more details soon, but here's the first: Alex Karras passes away at 77

Two more of the major costars of Jerry's Instant Replay are now gone... Merlin and Alex.

Mongo only a pawn in game of life. RIP

I just googled my favorite Karras story. A guy wrote it in the comments section.

http://profootballtalk.nbcspor...-given-days-to-live/
For a wonderful insight into what a great player he was, dust off George Plimpton’s PAPER LION and read the section where a young NFL player who faced Karras first when Alex had a groin injury and made the mistake of saying something like “Karras is a good player, but he doesn’t have the really great moves of some of the better players in the NFL.” This was posted on Karras’ locker prior to the Lions’ next game against that same rookie. During THAT game a healthy Karras ran around, over, under and through the kid, sacking their QB several times. After the game, as only he could, Karras said to the kid, “Well assface, how ya like them moves!”

quote:

Originally posted by cuqui:
That's tough to hear.

You're not kidding about Karras and the Packers. He led the charge in the famous Thanksgiving Day game where Bart was sacked, what, 12 times? Fuzzy Thurston always said that was the day they patented the "lookout" block, namely the ball gets snapped, the Lions blow through and Fuzzy yells to Bart "look out!"

Other than Lombardi and Kramer himself, Karras was the star of Kramer's Instant Replay. Jerry was obsessed with him. As for Karras' feelings, he was at a banquet honoring Kramer the year after Instant Replay came out. He announced to the audience:

"I'm pleased to be here to honor Jerry Kramer, the best guard in football.

If you don't believe me, just read Jerry's book!"

And to which Jerry promptly replied: "Who read the book to you Alex?"

quote:

Originally posted by The GBP Rules:
Never saw him play - but they've let a lot of mediocre/borderline guys into the HOF the last 15 years. Shouldn't he be in there already, along with Jerry Kramer?

What hurts Karras is that he took a lot of plays off. If they were far ahead or behind Alex gave a half azzed effort. Even Lombardi said Alex would be the best of all time if you could just motivate him to 100%.

quote:

Originally posted by rastapackermon:

quote:

Originally posted by Brak:
I was fascinated with this book when I was 11 or 12 or so:



Lots of good insight into those Lions, including Karras.

Ditto. That and Instant Replay - I ate 'em up. Karras was big entertainment for this 10 year old. Another brick from the 60's era fades away.

This and this.

RIP Alex. Liked you on Monday Night Football. Give Dandy Don and Cosell some crap up there.

RIP to a great player. Another icon gone from "the glory days," even if he played on a different team.

And belatedly, Plimpton, too. A great writer who had some memorable pieces, "Paper Lion" being just one of them.

I liked listening to his dry sense of humor. I believe it was Dempsey who kicked a record 63 yard FG (at the time) against the Lions. AK was on TV sometime later talking about it. I laughed as he described how he got rid of the guy in front of him quickly so he could get a good view of the kick. He also mentioned how kicking a 63 yard FG was idiotic - no one does that - so his only goal on that play was to get a good view of it. I found him humorous. RIP Alex.

In addition to 'Paper Lion,' seek out a lesser-known Plimpton book called 'Mad Ducks and Bears.' It's basically Karras and teammate John Gordy trading war stories for 250 pages. Some good stuff.

I've heard of it and if I can, I'll get it. Thanks, Dan.