Merlin Olsen’s Personal Mission Statement

A s you know, I’m a huge football fan.

Tonight is the eve of the 2013 National Football League season, and I marked the occasion by watching an NFL Films production, “A Football Life: The Fearsome Foursome.”

The film tells the story of the greatest defensive line in football history — The Fearsome Foursome of Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy, who played for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1960s.

Olsen, who became an accomplished actor after his football career, passed away in 2010. The film explains that shortly before he died, Olsen’s daughters found in a folder a personal mission statement that Olsen had written for himself. It uses 85 words, contained in nine sentences. I thought you might like to read it.

The focus of my life begins at home with family, loved ones and friends. I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter and mutual success. I will protect and value integrity. I will admit and quickly correct my mistakes. I will be a self-starter. I will be a caring person. I will be a good listener with an open mind. I will continue to grow and learn. I will facilitate and celebrate the success of others.”

The mission statement is engraved on a plaque outside of the stadium at Utah State University, which is where Olsen attended college. Utah State honored him in 2009 by naming its football field Merlin Olsen Field.