Charismatic ex-football star Alex Karras made a nice transition to acting, playing roles that emphasized not only his physical size (ironically, he was undersized at his position), but also the size of his heart. His appearance as himself in "Paper Lion" (1968), based on the George Plimpton book, hinted at his potential, but he really burst into moviegoers' awareness as Mongo, the idiot henchman of Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman), who knocks out a horse with one punch when he arrives to destroy the town in "Blazing Saddles" (1974), Mel Brooks' brilliant send-up of the Western. Karras turned in a
Played on Iowa's Rose Bowl team that year; named Associated Press All-American
1957
Consensus All-American; won Outland Trophy as outstanding collegiate interior lineman
1958
Played defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions
1963
Suspended (along with Green Bay Packer Paul Hornung) for one season by NFL Commisioner Pete Rozelle for betting on football (both Hornung and he bet on his respective team to win)
Resumed career with Lions, finishing his 12-year pro career with one team
