Dolphins Hall of Fame Linebacker Buoniconti Dead at 78
Share
MIAMI — Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti, an undersized overachiever who helped lead the Miami Dolphins to the NFL’s only perfect season and became a leader in the effort to cure paralysis, has died at the age of 78.
Buoniconti died Tuesday in Bridgehampton, New York, said Bruce Bobbins, a family spokesman.
“He could have been sitting on the beach sipping champagne for the rest of his life. But what did he do? He went around and gave the rest of his life to help his son.” — Marc Buoniconti, son
In recent years, Buoniconti struggled with symptoms of CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. He had recently battled pneumonia, Dolphins senior vice president Nat Moore said.The 5-11, 220-pound Buoniconti was bypassed in the NFL draft but went on to a 15-year career. He was captain of the Dolphins’ back-to-back Super Bowl champions, including the 1972 team that finished 17-0.
Following retirement, Buoniconti and his son, Marc, worked to raise more than a half-billion dollars for paralysis research. The younger Buoniconti was paralyzed from the shoulders down making a tackle for The Citadel in 1985.
Marc Buoniconti said his father was his biggest hero.
“He could have been sitting on the beach sipping champagne for the rest of his life,” the younger Buoniconti said in 2017. “But what did he do? He went around and gave the rest of his life to help his son.”

Buoniconti Played for the Dolphins From 1969 to 1974 and in 1976
Following retirement, Buoniconti worked as an attorney, a broadcaster, as president of U.S. Tobacco and as an agent to such athletes as Bucky Dent and Andre Dawson. For 23 seasons he was co-host of the weekly sports show “Inside the NFL” on the HBO cable network.
“Marc, the Miami Project Team and I are committed to carry Nick’s banner and legacy forward to the goal line.” — project chairman Dr. Barth Green
“He lived a life of honor and nobility, and his legacy will live forever through his Bronzed Bust in Canton, Ohio,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker.Buoniconti was chosen for the all-time AFL team in 1970, and for the NFL Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973.
A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Buoniconti played guard on offense and linebacker on defense for Notre Dame. He was small for a pro linebacker, but after being taken in the 13th round by the Boston Patriots of the upstart AFL, he played for them from 1962 to 1968.
He made the AFL All-Star Game six times and had 24 career interceptions for the Patriots, including three in a single game in 1968.
Buoniconti played for the Dolphins from 1969 to 1974 and in 1976. He was the leader of Miami’s famed “No-Name Defense” and in 1973 he set a team record with 162 tackles. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 1985, he and Marc Buoniconti helped to found the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which has become the world’s largest spinal cord injury research center.
“Marc, the Miami Project Team and I are committed to carry Nick’s banner and legacy forward to the goal line,” project chairman Dr. Barth Green said.

Senate Confirms Mehmet Oz to Take Lead of Medicare and Medicaid Agency
Politics /
3 hours ago
First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close
Business /
4 hours ago
Pence Will Receive the Profile in Courage Award From the JFK Library for His Actions on Jan. 6
News /
4 hours ago
Pentagon’s Watchdog to Review Hegseth’s Use of Signal App to Convey Plans for Houthi Strike
Politics /
5 hours ago
President Trump’s Tariffs Could Be the Political Tipping Point
Economy /
6 hours ago
Order That Kept Water in the Kern River Reversed by 5th District Court of Appeal
Water /
6 hours ago
As Dem Candidates for Governor Increase, They Wait for Harris to Decide
Opinion /
6 hours ago
China Halts Approvals for New US Investment Projects
According to a Bloomberg report cited by Investing.com, China has introduced new limitations affecting its local companies planning investme...
Economy /
42 minutes ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

Economy /
42 minutes ago
China Halts Approvals for New US Investment Projects

Economy /
1 hour ago
Trump Tariff Fears Erase $2 Trillion From US Stocks

Politics /
3 hours ago
Senate Confirms Mehmet Oz to Take Lead of Medicare and Medicaid Agency

Business /
4 hours ago
First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

News /
4 hours ago