Albrecht says Merlin Olsen larger than life
“Businessman, broadcaster, actor, humanitarian and spokesman. Beloved son, father, teammate, leader and Aggie.”
These are the words now engraved at the base of a pedestal holding the new eight-and-a-half-foot sculpture of football legend Merlin J. Olsen, dedicated and unveiled at a public ceremony at noon Saturday.
“If I were to describe him to you,” said USU President Stan Albrecht, “certainly I would have to talk about presence. I’d have to talk about larger than life. And certainly we now have a statue that recognizes the larger-than-life Merlin Olsen.”
Nearly 300 people attended the unveiling ceremony, which featured Albrecht as well as other guest speakers Director of Athletics Scott Barnes, Steven Perry from the National Football Foundation, sculptor Blair Buswell, Olsen’s former teammate Douglas Mayberry and Olsen’s widow Susan Wakely-Olsen.
“I’ve been the luckiest guy in the world to be able to sculpt the greatest football player to ever play the game,” Buswell said.
Buswell, a longtime friend of Olsen, said that he was more concerned about capturing Olsen’s personality than “just (making) sure the eyes and nose and things were in the right place.”
Buswell said that when he got the opportunity to sculpt Olsen he asked Olsen how he would like to be portrayed.
He said Olsen responded, “I want the sculpture to say that I was proud to be an Aggie.”
“He was our buddy, our leader,” Mayberry said. “You know, he’d stand up for you. Whenever you needed a big play he would give it to us. If it was offense, defense, you know he’s got it done for us.”
Mayberry, who went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, played with Olsen for two years at Utah State.
“It all started when about 20 of us from California showed up out here,” Mayberry said. “First day of practice there was Merlin with his big ol’ smile. He said, ‘Welcome guys. Now get it on; get your helmets on and let’s go; show us what you’ve got.’ He got the most out of us … He didn’t fool around on the football field.”
Wakely-Olsen said her husband always considered himself to be lucky. She said during a recent move she found a eulogy that Olsen had written for himself, and that the main thing that struck her about the eulogy was that theme of feeling lucky.
“You know, I don’t know how a person can feel lucky when they know they’re dying,” Wakely-Olsen said, “but that was the way he felt. That was the kind of person he was.”
She said that part of the eulogy read: “If I was to answer the question ‘what is the best thing that ever happened to you?’, I would have a very simple answer: to have had the opportunity to be surrounded by the love our family and friends bring here today, and to have shared these magnificent years with you. My only regret is that the trip has to end.”
ASUSU Vice President of Athletics Alex Putnam said current students haven’t been exposed to Olsen very much, but now students will get a better idea of the impact he had at Utah State. “He’s an Aggie legend,” Putnam said. “He was probably the greatest single athlete that’s ever come out of Utah State. He deserves to be celebrated for that.”
Albrecht said, “I hope it will affect students at Utah State not only because Merlin Olsen was the greatest athlete Utah has ever produced, but also because he was a great academic.” Albrecht said Oslen was the epitome of a student athlete and understood the value of what he was doing in the classroom.
“You don’t have to be a football player to walk by and be inspired by the man and what he’s done,” Albrecht said. “Just knowing his contribution to society, to life, to the quality of life – I hope everyone will learn something of his history and legacy and be inspired by it.”
“So many of you have loved Merlin,” Wakely-Olsen said. “You’ve given of your time and your money. I want you to know that I really appreciate it, and our family really appreciates it.”
The front plaque of the statue’s pedestal reads:
“The focus of my life begins at home with my family, loved ones and friends. I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter and mutual success. I will protect and value integrity. I will admit and quickly correct my mistakes. I will be a self-starter. I will be a caring person. I will be a good listener with and open mind. I will continue to grow and learn. I will facilitate and celebrate the success of others.”
The statues stands on the south plaza of Romney Stadium.
– robmjepson@gmail.com