Former Dolphins Pro Bowl Lineman Bob Kuechenberg Dies At Age 71
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl offensive lineman Bob Kuechenberg has died.
Kuechenberg, part of the Dolphins perfect season in 1972, passed away on Saturday, the team announced.
The six-time Pro Bowler played all 14 of his NFL seasons with Miami.
Kuechenberg was a big part of the Dolphins' back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1972 and 1973.
Former Miami head coach Don Shula released a statement through the team on Kuechenberg's passing, which read in part:
"I was sorry to learn of the passing of Bob Kuechenberg, who was not only one of the best players I ever coached, but one of the toughest as well."
Coach Shula on the passing of Bob Kuechenberg. pic.twitter.com/Z9Pv30zh5u
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 13, 2019
Speaking on CBS4's Dolphins Weekly Live, former Miami linebacker Kim Bokamper spoke about his former teammate.
"He really defined what I was gonna be, took me under his wing and taught me what it was about," said Bokamper. "Maybe the toughest person I've ever seen on a football field and a guy that is certainly deserving of [induction into the] Hall of Fame."
Bokamper is one of many of Kuechenberg's former teammates and coaches who have lobbied for his Hall of Fame consideration.
Kuechenberg signed with the Dolphins in 1970. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft but never played for them.
He played collegiately at Notre Dame.