Alex Karras, Detroit Lions pro-lineman died at home from kidney failure

On October 8, 2012, Karras told his friend Tom McInerney that he was suffering from kidney failure complications and the doctors only gave him a few days to live. He was treated at John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Cal. before his release and passing just two days later.

Remembering Alex Karras, the Detroit Lion,former NFL lineman, actor, dies at 77 with full story

Movie fans will always remember Alex Karras as Mongo, the slow thug under the 10-gallon hat who rode into town on a Brahman bull and then knocked out a horse with one punch in Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles.”

Karras also played himself in the 1968 film adaptation of George Plimpton’s book, “Paper Lion.”

Television fans might remember him from the 1980s when he played the father George Papadapolis on “Webster” alongside his real-life wife Susan Clark.

However, many long-time Detroit Lions fans have a special place in their hearts for Alex Karras, a member of the Fearsome Foursome defensive line unit in the 1960s.

Remembering Alex Karras as a Football Player

Alex Karras loved to perform. He’s famous for his success as an actor but he should also be remembered as one of the N.F.L.’s defensive stars of the 1960s. Karras died on Wednesday of kidney failure at his home in Los Angeles. He was 77. A few thoughts:

Alex Karras' humor was his strength

Alex Karras played football when I was growing up in Pittsburgh. Unless it was Thanksgiving, not many Lions games were on television. Each week, I'd watch the highlights from shows produced by NFL Films, which introduced me to how good Karras was as a defensive lineman.

Television also opened the window for the country to get to know Karras as a person.
Alex Karras helped pave the way for football players to become entertainers with a post-playing career that included movies and a lead role on the TV sitcom "Webster."

'Webster' star and Detroit Lions legend Alex Karras near death

Alex Karras' condition has deteriorated and the NFL team he played for is extending its sympathies.

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reported the former All-Pro defensive lineman and actor has been given only a few days to live because of recent kidney failure.

"The entire Detroit Lions family is deeply saddened to learn of the news regarding the condition of one of our all-time greats, Alex Karras," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement released by the team late Monday night. "Perhaps no player in Lions history attained as much success and notoriety for what he did after his playing days as did Alex.

Alex Karras Kidney Failure: Former Lions Star And Actor With Family During Final Days

Alex Karras was recently released from a California hospital after having kidney failure so he could spend his final days with family.

"He may be dying of kidney failure because now his body is catching up to the deterioration of his mind," Craig Mitnick, Karras' attorney in a lawsuit against the NFL, told The Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon.