Former Lions Great And Actor Alex Karras Has Died

Los Angeles, CA (WIBX) - Surrounded by his family, Alex Karras died in his Los Angeles home this morning at the age of 77.

The former Detroit Lions defensive tackle played twelve seasons in the NFL.  He was a four-time Pro Bowler and a member of the National Football League's All-Decade Team for the 1960's who started out as the tenth overall pick in the 1958 NFL Draft.

His career was not without controversy.  In 1963 he was suspended for allegedly gambling and he is one of the many players who have filed a lawsuit for concussions suffered while playing the game.

After hanging up his helmet he became an actor.  Although he provided football commentary he is remembered most for his role as Mongo in 1974's "Blazing Saddles" and as Webster's television dad in ABC's "Webster."

Karras had been suffering from dementia, kidney failure, and cancer.