Dolphins’ Hall of Fame Linebacker Nick Buoniconti Dies

Nick Buoniconti Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, has died at the age of 78.

Bruce Bobbins, a spokesman for the Buoniconti family, states he died Tuesday in Bridgehampton, New York. The cause of death was not certainly determined.

Buoniconti helped lead the Miami Dolphins to the NFLs only perfect season with consecutive Super Bowl wins, including the 1972 team that finished 17-0.

After Buoniconti 15-year career, he worked with his paralyzed son to raise more than a half-billion dollars in the search for a cure for paralysis. Younger Buoniconti became paralyzed from the shoulders down after making a tackle for The Citadel in 1985. Finding a cure for paralysis through raising money and awareness, hit very close to home for him.

Nick Buoniconti was chosen for the all-time AFL team in 1970, as well as the NFL Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973 and will always be remembered as one of the Miami Dolphins best linebackers.

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