# Mongo no longer pawn in game of life - Alex Karras dead at 77 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 9, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222 "2012-10-09T16:11:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/1 "2012-10-09T16:11:59Z")
Alex Karras given days to live. > **[Ex-Lion Alex Karras given days to live](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/ex-lion-alex-karras-given-days-to-live)** > > Alex Karras, who played defensive line for the Lions and later found even greater fame as an actor, is reportedly suffering from kidney failure and near death. This does not look good, he suffered kidney failure monday night. The article says that he’s been suffering from poor health for several years. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/2 "2012-10-09T19:28:21Z")
Mongo just pawn in game of life. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/3 "2012-10-09T19:35:44Z")
No. Don’t do that, don’t do that. If you give him kidney failure you’ll just make him mad. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/4 "2012-10-09T19:46:20Z")
I blame Webster, yeah, Emmanual Lewis, 'cause he’s the antichrist. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/5 "2012-10-10T15:04:22Z")
According to TMZ, it’s over… > **[Alex Karras Dead -- 'Blazing Saddles' Star Dies at 77](https://www.tmz.com/2012/10/10/alex-karras-dies-blazing-saddles-star-dead-at/)** > > NFL great Alex Karras -- who also played Mongo in "Blazing Saddles" -- died this morning after suffering kidney failure ... this according to a family spokesperson. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/6 "2012-10-10T15:13:37Z")
link [here](http://www.tmz.com/2012/10/10/alex-karras-dies-blazing-saddles-star-dead-at/) RIP Mongo ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/7 "2012-10-10T15:34:51Z")
I’ve merged two threads about Karras’ illness and passing and used **Labtrash** ’s thread title. Also: > [@Labtrash](#): > > RIP Mongo Santa Maria! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/8 "2012-10-10T15:57:27Z")
I remember well his playing days and being in one of the first movies I can remember, Paper Lion. Against All Odds was just on yesterday, I wonder if this is why. They seem to play a lot when some cast member comes into the news. The guy married Susan Clark, so there’s another addition to a life well lived. Sad to see he’d gone the way of many of the NFL giants with dementia, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/9 "2012-10-10T16:07:01Z")
RIP to one of the great big guys… I remember him on Monday Night football… should be in the HOF!!! ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/10 "2012-10-10T16:17:34Z")
Don’t think I ever laughed so hard as when he punched out that horse. RIP ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/11 "2012-10-10T16:21:13Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I remember well his playing days and being in one of the first movies I can remember, Paper Lion. When I was in high school, I read many of George Plimpton’s books about sports – often written, as “Paper Lion” was, from the standpoint of a (temporary) participant in the sport. Karras featured hugely in the written version of “Paper Lion”, as well as the sequel, “Mad Ducks and Bears” (Karras’s nickname with the Lions, due to his waddling gait, was “The Mad Duck”)…he was absolutely hilarious, and it’s not surprising that he was able to segue so well into an acting career. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/12 "2012-10-10T16:21:32Z")
I remember him in _Victor/Victoria_ where he played James Garner’s bodyguard. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/13 "2012-10-10T16:35:42Z")
I know that the words ‘pawn’ and ‘game’ are, well, game related. I also know that Alex played football and that, too, is a game but. . . should this thread have been moved to the outskirts of the Game Room? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/14 "2012-10-10T16:38:19Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I know that the words ‘pawn’ and ‘game’ are, well, game related. I also know that Alex played football and that, too, is a game but. . . should this thread have been moved to the outskirts of the Game Room? It was originally posted to The Game Room and I figured it could stay there because Karras was a football player before he became an actor. There is a redirect from Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/15 "2012-10-10T16:56:59Z")
And here I thought I was gonna get crap for calling The Game Room the outskirts. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/16 "2012-10-10T17:00:04Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’ve merged two threads about Karras’ illness and passing and used **Labtrash** ’s thread title. Also: > > Santa Maria! Sorry, I guess I had the wrong forum, and I see there was already a thread - oops! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/17 "2012-10-10T17:13:36Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Don’t think I ever laughed so hard as when he punched out that horse. I’m laughing now just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/18 "2012-10-10T17:20:32Z")
I find it very bizarre that Yahoo is calling him “former Webster star,” as though that was the pinnacle of his career. Even considering his acting rather than his football, in addition to Mongo, there was a fine supporting turn in **Victor/Victoria** and **Paper Lion** (playing himself, but it started his movie career). ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/19 "2012-10-10T20:59:07Z")
Hard to believe these days that he was such a dominant defensive tackle at around 250 pounds. At 6’3" he looked so much bigger. I remember an anecdote from Jerry Kramer’s book _Instant Replay_ where he talked about an incident where a rookie lineman went up against Karras who was recovering from an undisclosed injury. The rookie told the press after the game that he thought Karras was overrated, that the famously agile Karras hadn’t shown him that many moves. Come the next game, Karras was back to full strength, and was mopping the field with this poor kid. As the rookie walked off the field having been pulled by his coach, he happened to walk past Karras, who asked him, “How’d you like _them_ moves, assface?” 😃 Alex Karras was great. Fast, agile and strong, mentally and physically, and a born leader, he lead a great life. RIP, Alex. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222/20 "2012-10-10T21:09:34Z")
Karras was also a professional wrestler off season, and portrayed a real wrestler, George Zaharias, in the movie Babe (not the one with the pig), and a fictional wrestler in the movie Mad Bull. One of his best lines from his autobiography was about attending college where he was being paid to play football. He said something like “We called it a scholarship”. Great football player, wrestler, and actor. He will be missed by many. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mongo-no-longer-pawn-in-game-of-life-alex-karras-dead-at-77/637222.md?page=2)