Alec Karras was an American football player, professional wrestler and actor nicknamed “The Mad Duck.”

Born Alexander George Karras on July 15, 1935 in Gary, Indiana, USA, he attended Gary Emerson High School, where he was a four-time Indiana all-state selection. He was recruited by the University of Iowa and signed with the Hawkeyes. He had an impressive college football career; he was twice named to the All-American team, won the Outland Trophy, and placed higher on the Heisman trophy ranking than any interior lineman. He also helped the Hawkeyes win the 1957 Rose Bowl Championship.

Karras was drafted in the first round of the 1958 National Football League Draft by the Detroit Lions. He gained a reputation as one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. He remained with the team during his 12-year career in the league. He became a four-time Pro Bowl selection, though he never won a Super Bowl. After suffering from a serious knee injury, he was released by Detroit in 1971.

As a professional wrestler, Alex began his career when he signed a contract on December 13, 1957 which earned him $25 thousand during the six-month NFL off-season.

While he was still an NFL player, he appeared as himself when the non-fiction book Paper Lion by George Plimpton was adapted into a film of the same title. His screen presence led to guest appearances on some television shows before he made his television movie debut as cowboy Clint Walker’s hulking adversary in the Western Hardcase in 1972.

Karras pursued his acting opportunities and went on to portray the role of Hughie Rae Feather, a gentle hillbilly weight-lifter, in the sports comedy The 500 Pound Jerk on CBS in 1973. His other film works include Blazing Saddles, Porky, Centennial, Victor Victoria and Against All Odds. His television appearances included guest roles on M*A*S*H, Odd Couple, Match Game ’75, Mad Bull and Webster.

Alex Karras became the replacement of Fred Williamson as a commentator for Monday Night Football on ABC in 1974. Prior to that, he hosted a local weekly football program, The Alex Karras Football Show, on Windsor, Ontario CBC affiliate CKLW-TV which preceded the Wednesday night CFL telecast on CBC.

Karras passed away on October 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.