Topic: Marlin McKeever, MEET HERCULES costar, critically ill

[BeAStooge]

Frank Reighter posted the following news on the Fan Club's Yahoo Group forum. Marlin McKeever, and his twin brother Mike, were the Cyclops in THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES. Marlin was recently interviewed by Steve Cox for The Three Stooges Journal # 117, Spring 2006 issue.

USC GREAT McKEEVER IN A COMA
by John Nadel
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES -- Marlin McKeever, a two-time All-American at Southern California who played 13 years in the NFL, was comatose and in critical condition following a fall at his home, a longtime friend said Thursday.

John Papadakis said the 66-year-old McKeever had a blood clot on his brain and was in the intensive care unit at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach.

Papadakis said USC coach Pete Carroll dropped what he was doing after hearing about McKeever's condition and went to the hospital, where he was at McKeever's bedside early Thursday afternoon. McKeever has been in charge of the Trojan Football Alumni Club. Papadakis said that Carroll had become very close friends with McKeever since being hired as coach in 2001.

"I can tell you Pete was practically speechless when he came in, deeply concerned," Papadakis said. The unbeaten, third-ranked Trojans leave Friday for Saturday's game at Oregon State.

Papadakis said he was told of McKeever's condition by the attending physician. "They were trying to find hope, I would describe in that way," Papadakis said. "They are continuing to give him tests to measure how much blood the brain is getting."

Kathleen O'Guin, the hospital's director of public relations and marketing, said that at the family's request, the hospital wouldn't release details regarding McKeever's condition.

McKeever was a fullback-defensive end and punter at USC from 1958-60, and was the Trojans' leading receiver in his junior and senior years. But he was mainly known for his work at linebacker, and that's where he played in the NFL.

A first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams, McKeever played from 1961-66 and 1971-72 with the Rams, in 1967 with the Minnesota Vikings, from 1968-70 with the Washington Redskins, and in 1973 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was later a stock broker and insurance executive.

McKeever's twin brother, Mike, also was a star at USC, playing left guard. Mike died Aug. 24, 1967 of head injuries sustained in an automobile accident after spending 22 months in a coma. He also had a blood clot on his brain. Mike had to give up football in his senior year at USC after suffering a head injury.

Papadakis said McKeever fell at his Long Beach home Tuesday night, and was found by his wife, Judy. McKeever said he was fine, but was unresponsive Wednesday morning, and paramedics were called.

"You have to understand, Marlin McKeever wasn't born, he was chiseled," said Papadakis, a linebacker at USC from 1968-72. "He's like the rocks in the walls of Troy, that was his nature. So when he told his wife he was all right, he was fine, that's what she thought.

"He was my hero growing up. Marlin and Mike, they were like icons. Even when they were in high school, they were on the cover of Sports Illustrated."

[falsealarms]

That's sad news, and at 66, isn't that old. Hopefully he'll be ok.

And what is the link to the Fan Club's Yahoo Group? I'd like to get in there (I am a F.C member)

[BeAStooge]

AP Sports reports Friday night that Marlin died earlier today.

FORMER SOUTHERN CAL STAR DIES AT 66
By John Nadel
AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Marlin McKeever, a two-time All-American at Southern California who played 13 years in the NFL, died Friday of head injuries from a fall at his home earlier this week. He was 66.

Kathleen O'Guin, director of public relations and marketing at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, said McKeever died at the hospital with his family at his bedside.

The family issued a statement through the hospital announcing McKeever's death and saying it had been "overwhelmed by the love, support and prayers received in the last few days."