Alex Karras Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Alex Karras (1935-2012) is well known as both a successful professional football player and a popular television and film actor. After playing college football at Iowa, Karras was selected in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He was named to four Pro Bowls throughout the 1960s and was later named to the All-Decade NFL team. He played from 1958-1970, but was banned from the league during the 1963 season due to gambling. His entire playing career was spent with the Detroit Lions. Karras often feuded with collegiate and NFL coaches, his affable public image notwithstanding. He wrestled professionally intermittently around his football schedule. In the late 1960s, Karras tried his hand at acting, making his debut in a 1969 episode of Daniel Boone. One of his most memorable roles came five years later in the Mel Brooks classic Blazing Saddles (1974), where he portrayed the dim-witted but insightful Mongo. In one of the many famous lines of the film, Mongo looks straight at the camera and says "Mongo only pawn in game of life". Karras went on to earn dozens of film and television credits, most notably in Webster (1983-1989). He co-starred with real life spouse Susan Clark in the popular sitcom. In 1991, Karras was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.