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23. Nick Buoniconti

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23. Nick Buoniconti

After a spectacular seven-year run with the Boston Patriots where he was a four-time First Team All-Pro, Nick Buoniconti was traded to the Miami Dolphins after the 1968 season.

The Dolphins were quietly amassing a core of young defensive players, and the arrival of Buoniconti gave the Dolphins leadership.  The Middle Linebacker would be named a First Team All-Pro in 1969 and was also named an AFL All-Star.  Buoniconti was a part of the Dolphin three straight Super Bowl appearances, and the two they won (VII & VIII).  In both of those Super Bowl winning years, Buoniconti was named to the Pro Bowl. 

An injured thumb kept him out of the 1975 season, and he returned for a final year in 1976 before retiring.

Buoniconti would enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, ten years after he was chosen for the Dolphins' Honor Roll.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Acquired: Traded from the New England Patriots before the 1969 Season.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1976 Season.
  • Games Played: 92
  • Notable Statistics:

    85 Games Started
    8 Interceptions
    89 Interception Return Yards
    4 Fumble Recoveries
    13 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    6.0 Quarterback Sacks*
    60 Approximate Value

    11 Playoff Games
    2 Interceptions
    38 Interception Return Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery
    0 Fumble Recovery Yards

    *Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (VII & VIII)
    First Team All-Pro (1969)
    Second Team All-Pro (1972)
    Pro Bowl (1969, 1972 & 1973)

Last modified on Wednesday, 07 September 2022 13:24

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