Football Nick Buoniconti dead at 78

Kman34 · 07-31-2019, 11:35 AM

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...64680666963322

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, has died at the age of 78.

"Today, with a heavy heart and profound sorrow, my family and the entire Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Buoniconti Fund community mourn the loss of a man who was truly larger than life, my father, NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti," Marc Buoniconti said in a statement. "My dad has been my hero and represents what I have always aspired to be: a leader, a mentor and a champion.

Family spokesman Bruce Bobbins said Nick Buoniconti died Tuesday in Bridgehampton, New York. A cause of death wasn't immediately known.

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Buoniconti played guard on offense and linebacker on defense for Notre Dame. But at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, he was small for an NFL linebacker.

Buoniconti was taken in the 13th round by the Boston Patriots of the upstart AFL and 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 Miami 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 an eight-time Pro Bowler and won Super Bowl titles with the Dolphins in 1972, for a team that finished 17-0, and 1973. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

He said in November 2017 that he would donate his brain for CTE research. He revealed in May of that year that he was suffering from memory loss and could not use his left hand, among other ailments.

After his son Marc was paralyzed at age 19 while playing football, Buoniconti was a driving force behind the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for research. Nick and Marc were on a Wheaties box in 1997 as part of the Miami Project.

"He selflessly gave all to football, to his family and to those who are less fortunate," Marc Buoniconti said in his statement. "He made a promise to me that turned into a revolution in paralysis research. We can best honor his dedication and endless commitment by continuing with our work until that promise is fulfilled and a cure is found,"

Nick Buoniconti also had a successful post-football career in broadcasting and business.

Following retirement, Buoniconti worked as an attorney, as president of U.S. Tobacco and as an agent to such athletes as Bucky Dent and Andre Dawson.

chinaski · 07-31-2019, 11:36 AM

Bring him in for a look?

Gravedigger · 07-31-2019, 11:38 AM

Do we pop a champagne bottle in remembrance or ....

RIP

**Rain Man** · 07-31-2019, 11:38 AM

I wonder if he'll put no name on his tombstone.

I still bear a bit of a grudge against those Dolphins teams for ruining my Christmas in 1971, though as an adult I kind of understand why they did it.

Abba-Dabba · 07-31-2019, 11:39 AM

I remember as a kid eagerly awaiting every week for the next episode of Inside the NFL with him and Len Dawson. 78 is a good run.

Kman34 · 07-31-2019, 11:41 AM

I hope Len gets to see us win a SB before he is gone too..

Scooter LaCanforno · 07-31-2019, 03:54 PM

RIP. Lenny and Nick were a Great Team.

**srvy** · 07-31-2019, 04:05 PM

His Fins sure ruined my Christmas but I got over it and my hate for fins. I transferred it over to placekickers who seem to screw us every time. Looking at you Janski!

Nick seemed like a good dude he and Lenny were a perfect pair on Inside NFL. RIP

Beerthirty · 07-31-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

His Fins sure ruined my Christmas but I got over it and my hate for fins. I transferred it over to placekickers who seem to screw us every time. Looking at you Janski!

Nick seemed like a good dude he and Lenny were a perfect pair on Inside NFL. RIP

At least he wont have to see us go undefeated this year.

lcarus · 07-31-2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

His Fins sure ruined my Christmas but I got over it and my hate for fins. I transferred it over to placekickers who seem to screw us every time. Looking at you Janski!

Nick seemed like a good dude he and Lenny were a perfect pair on Inside NFL. RIP

For about 20 years I despised Lin Elliott. I had a filmstrip that played his misses over and over all day. I had a dartboard with his face on it that I threw aids needles at. Then one day I woke up and realized I should probably get over and place more of the blame on the shitbird team that couldn't get in the end zone and instead placed their Super Bowl aspirations on the hope that a kicker could kick a frozen ice ball between 2 posts after sitting in subzero temperatures for 3 hours.

So now I throw aids darts at a board with Steve Bono's face on it. ROT IN HELL STEVE!

Frazod · 07-31-2019, 06:04 PM

RIP. I'm just a bit too young to remember him as a player, but I loved him on Inside the NFL with Lenny back in the day. I miss the days when football shows were actually about football.

**MahiMike** · 07-31-2019, 07:17 PM

RIP. Wonder how his kid is doing.

ARROW2 · 07-31-2019, 08:09 PM

Still hate the dolphins but that was the best iteration of Inside The NFL, PERIOD!!!!!

**mlyonsd** · 07-31-2019, 08:20 PM

RIP. True football player.

T-post Tom · 07-31-2019, 08:27 PM

Kids, let that be a lesson for you: Don't drink champagne.

RIP.

07-31-2019, 11:35 AM
Kman34 My Mamma Says Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Glass Cage Of Emotion Casino cash: $1591786 VARSITY	Nick Buoniconti dead at 78 https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...64680666963322 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, has died at the age of 78. "Today, with a heavy heart and profound sorrow, my family and the entire Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Buoniconti Fund community mourn the loss of a man who was truly larger than life, my father, NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti," Marc Buoniconti said in a statement. "My dad has been my hero and represents what I have always aspired to be: a leader, a mentor and a champion. Family spokesman Bruce Bobbins said Nick Buoniconti died Tuesday in Bridgehampton, New York. A cause of death wasn't immediately known. A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Buoniconti played guard on offense and linebacker on defense for Notre Dame. But at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, he was small for an NFL linebacker. Buoniconti was taken in the 13th round by the Boston Patriots of the upstart AFL and 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 Miami 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 an eight-time Pro Bowler and won Super Bowl titles with the Dolphins in 1972, for a team that finished 17-0, and 1973. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. He said in November 2017 that he would donate his brain for CTE research. He revealed in May of that year that he was suffering from memory loss and could not use his left hand, among other ailments. After his son Marc was paralyzed at age 19 while playing football, Buoniconti was a driving force behind the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for research. Nick and Marc were on a Wheaties box in 1997 as part of the Miami Project. "He selflessly gave all to football, to his family and to those who are less fortunate," Marc Buoniconti said in his statement. "He made a promise to me that turned into a revolution in paralysis research. We can best honor his dedication and endless commitment by continuing with our work until that promise is fulfilled and a cure is found," Nick Buoniconti also had a successful post-football career in broadcasting and business. Following retirement, Buoniconti worked as an attorney, as president of U.S. Tobacco and as an agent to such athletes as Bucky Dent and Andre Dawson.
Posts: 13,968

07-31-2019, 11:36 AM	#2
chinaski Veteran Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: He/Him Casino cash: $8739922	Bring him in for a look?
Posts: 2,226

07-31-2019, 11:38 AM	#3
Gravedigger Plays to win the game! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $7173101	Do we pop a champagne bottle in remembrance or .... RIP
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07-31-2019, 11:38 AM	#4
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2938491 VARSITY	I wonder if he'll put no name on his tombstone. I still bear a bit of a grudge against those Dolphins teams for ruining my Christmas in 1971, though as an adult I kind of understand why they did it. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,719

07-31-2019, 11:39 AM	#5
Abba-Dabba MVP Join Date: May 2001 Casino cash: $4492970	I remember as a kid eagerly awaiting every week for the next episode of Inside the NFL with him and Len Dawson. 78 is a good run.
Posts: 18,146

07-31-2019, 11:41 AM	#6
Kman34 My Mamma Says Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Glass Cage Of Emotion Casino cash: $1591786 VARSITY	I hope Len gets to see us win a SB before he is gone too.. __________________ SFC... Stay ****ing Calm..
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07-31-2019, 03:54 PM	#7
Scooter LaCanforno Starter Join Date: Nov 2013 Casino cash: $6766947	RIP. Lenny and Nick were a Great Team.
Posts: 915	1 0

07-31-2019, 04:05 PM	#8
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1291250	His Fins sure ruined my Christmas but I got over it and my hate for fins. I transferred it over to placekickers who seem to screw us every time. Looking at you Janski! Nick seemed like a good dude he and Lenny were a perfect pair on Inside NFL. RIP __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,586

07-31-2019, 06:04 PM	#11
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2745085	RIP. I'm just a bit too young to remember him as a player, but I loved him on Inside the NFL with Lenny back in the day. I miss the days when football shows were actually about football.
Posts: 119,540	2 0

07-31-2019, 07:17 PM	#12
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	RIP. Wonder how his kid is doing. __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

07-31-2019, 08:09 PM	#13
ARROW2 MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Casino cash: $9514329	Still hate the dolphins but that was the best iteration of Inside The NFL, PERIOD!!!!!
Posts: 5,994

07-31-2019, 08:20 PM	#14
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $1293762	RIP. True football player.
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07-31-2019, 08:27 PM	#15
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4347293	Kids, let that be a lesson for you: Don't drink champagne. RIP. __________________ You seem nice!
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