Former Dolphins Great Jim Mandich Dead At 62
MIAMI (CBS4) - Former Dolphins tight end and popular South Florida sportscaster Jim Mandich died Tuesday night after a long battle with cancer.
Mandich, 62, announced in March of 2010 that he was diagnosed with a tumor on his bile duct and wouldn't return to his talk show on WQAM. The tumor extended from the liver to the small intestine.
Mandich was drafted by the Dolphins in 1970 out of the University of Michigan. He was an All-American for the Wolverines and played eight seasons with the Dolphins. He's a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and announced Dolphins games from 1992-2004 and from 2008-2009.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
"Jim played football the way he battled cancer, head on," said CBS4 sports anchor Kim Bokamper, who played football with Mandich. "He wasn't the biggest guy, but he was a pit bull. Never stopped. Never stopped going after you and that's the toughness he carried with him throughout his entire life."
The Miami Dolphins released a statement late Tuesday. It read, in part:
The Miami Dolphin organization today mourns the passing of Jim Mandich, a member of the Dolphin family both on and off the field for more than 40 years who left an imprint that was both unique and authentic. He was a popular tight end on the great Dolphin Super Bowl teams in the 1970s, playing for the club from 1970 through 1977. He was a member of two Super Bowl winning squads (1972, 1973), including the Perfect Season team, and three AFC Championship teams. After his playing career ended, Mandich embarked on a successful business and civic career in South Florida and became a beloved member of the Dolphin broadcast team for 17 years. His famous "All Right, Miami!" exclamation after exciting Dolphin plays became his hallmark catch phrase. His passion for the team was evident in every broadcast he did, and his unique on-air presence and personality captivated Dolphin fans everywhere.
