Former Detroit Lions standout and National Football League great, Alex Karras, who later became a TV star, has died, ABC News has learned.

The 77-year-old former defensive tackle died at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, following recent kidney failure.

"He was an amazing man in everything he did," Karras' lawyer, Craig Mitnick, told ABC News Radio. "He fought really, really hard through his dementia and cancer."

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ill always remember his roll as MR Mongo in blazing saddles. also in 68 the movie paper Lion if you go that far back like me. RIP big guy