Alex Karras Versus George Plimpton. Who Ya Got?

Written by Brandon Stroud / 05.02.13
Alex Karras George Plimpton

wait what the f**k is going on

Writing about Alex Karras in today’s Sports On TV: Archer’s 15 Greatest Sports Moments sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole, and I cannot believe what I found.

If you’re like me, you know George Plimpton best from Ken Burns’ Baseball and from that one episode of ‘The Simpsons’ where he tries to talk Lisa into throwing a spelling bee for a college scholarship and a hot plate (“it’s perfect for soup!”). In the 1950s and 60s, Plimpton was a prolific sportswriter and author whose schtick was signing up to participate in pro sports without any training or know-how, then writing about his experience. He boxed with Sugar Ray Robinson, stood in net for the Boston Bruins, pitched in a post-season exhibition game at Yankee Stadium under coach Mickey Mantle and attended preseason training as a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions. These moments were shared in beautifully-written books or in the pages of Sports Illustrated.

Also one time he learned pro wrestling against the dad from ‘Webster’ dressed like a caveman lion. That was … uh, not written about beautifully.

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Sports On TV: Archer’s 15 Greatest Sports Moments

Written by Brandon Stroud / 05.02.13


Lana. LANA!

Sports On TV is in the Danger Zone.

Our look at the best sports moments from shows that aren’t necessarily about sports takes on FX’s ‘Archer’ this week, and if there’s a show the kids at UPROXX love more than ‘Archer,’ I’d like to see it. Inside, you’ll find one of the most clever, obscure, expertly-written shows on television. You’ll also find lacrosse jokes about rock bands from the 1990s, a guy trying to play baseball in space, Ultimate Bum Shock Fights (which are exactly what they sound like), Siamese fighting fish, and more.

So please click through and-or enjoy Sports On TV: ‘Archer’s’ 15 greatest sports moments.

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R.I.P. Alex Karras, 1935-2012

Written by Brandon Stroud / 10.10.12

alex_karras_rip

“The Mad Duck” Alex Karras, former Detroit Lions lineman, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77.

Karras, who had recently suffered kidney failure, died at home in Los Angeles surrounded by family members, said Craig Mitnick, Karras’ attorney.

Diagnosed with dementia, Karras in April joined the more than 3,500 former NFL players suing the league for not protecting them better from head injuries, immediately becoming one of the best-known names in the legal fight.

Detroit drafted Karras with the 10th overall pick in 1958 out of Iowa and he was a four-time All-Pro defensive tackle over 12 seasons with the franchise. (via AP)

Alex Karras isn’t a household name, but you know who he is, in one form or another. Let me put it to you this way … very infrequently does the passing of one man touch so many UPROXX Network sites. For Kissing Suzy Kolber, Karras spent 12 years in the NFL, where he was a 4-time Pro Bowl selection. Fans of Warming Glow might remember him as George Papadapolis, Webster’s dad on the 80s sitcom ‘Webster,’ and Gamma Squad readers might know him as the guy who convinced their parents to go out and buy Transformers now, while the stores have a good selection. FilmDrunk gets my favorite Alex Karras, the one who played Mongo and punched out a horse in 1974′s Blazing Saddles. Hell, he was even a pro wrestler, so I can write about him. Also, the football stuff.

That’s a man who led a full life. After the jump, I’ve included some random videos and moments from Karras’ career. Check them out, and never forget the one guy in the world who knew Slim Pickens, Emmanuel Lewis and Dick The Bruiser. Rest in peace, sir.

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