This imposing, dignified African-American actor set receiving records as a professional football player with the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams before segueing to film and TV work in the late 1960s and early 70s. Casey was better prepared for an acting career than most former athletes; he began studying acting with Jeff Corey as a 25-year-old. As he has aged, Casey has shifted from playing intense dudes, serious young men and sympathetic jocks to specializing in somewhat dour professionals. Often glowering impressively, he gives the impression of having gained painful knowledge