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  • Home > Blog > Mesothelioma > Football Stadium Named for Former All-American Athlete and Newly Diagnosed Mesothelioma Patient
Posted on Sunday, Dec 6, 2009

Football Stadium Named for Former All-American Athlete and Newly Diagnosed Mesothelioma Patient

The playing field inside Utah State University’s Romney Stadium was officially named the Merlin Olsen Field during a half-time ceremony in a game between Utah State and St. Mary’s College men’s basketball teams on Saturday. Merlin Olsen, currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma, was a USU All-American football player from 1959-1961.

Olsen graduated with a finance degree in ’62 but went on to play professional football for the LA Rams for 15 years where he was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1962 and was the league’s Most Valuable Lineman in 1973.

USU President Stan Albrecht honored Olsen saying, “I can’t think of anyone that has carried the Utah State banner so proudly and with such distinction over the course of a lifetime than has Merlin Olsen.” Olsen is recognized for generously giving his time and financial resources to USU over the years.

Mr. Olsen’s mesothelioma is diagnosed as being confined to one lung, and he has currently undergone three chemotherapy treatments. A dedication ceremony will be held next fall during the 2010 Aggie football season in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of USU’s 1960 Sun Bowl team led by Olsen.