Alex Karras, Former Packers Foe, Passes

He tormented the Green Bay Packers for 12 seasons as a member of the Detroit Lions. Wednesday, three time All-Pro defensive tackle Alex Karras died in his Los Angeles home.

He was 77.

Packers fans will remember Karras as the anchor of the Lions defense and a player who often had big games against Bart Starr and Vince Lombardi’s teams in the 1960s. Karras played from 1958-70 and was known as one of the hardest hitters among the Packers’ division rivals.

He was first-team All Pro in 1960, ’61 and ’65. He also made four Pro Bowls.

Others will remember Karras as an actor. He played the dad on the 1980s sitcom Webster, but his most memorable role was as Mongo in Blazing Saddles, a film where he comically punched a horse.

Although Karras suffered kidney failure this week, he suffered from a variety of maladies, including dementia, heart disease and stomach cancer.

He died surrounded by family.