In later years, his football career was marked by some oddities. These included Kiick and Csonka signing with the World Football League. Kiick eventually came back to the NFL where he was released by the Denver Broncos. As bad luck would have it, this release came on the same day that Kiick saw his marriage end and his house burn down.
In 1996, Kiick was named to the University of Wyoming’s Sports Hall of Fame. He is now president of Kiick Sports Promotions in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His agency books former players for special appearances.
Nick Buoniconti
A linebacker who played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, Nick was instrumental in both play and leadership during his career. He was named to the AFL All-Star team in 1969 and the Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973. In the latter year, he set a record by making 162 tackles, 91 of which were unassisted. In 2001, he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Since retirement, Nick has served as president of the US Tobacco Company and was a co-host on the HBO series, Inside the NFL. Over the past two decades, he has been an instrumental figure in the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He began taking part in this foundation when his son Marc was paralyzed during a 1985 college football game. This foundation has since become one of the leading neurological research centers in the world.
Nick is believed to be the most vocal member of the perfect season Miami Dolphins team. He is rumored to lead a champagne toast each year after the lingering undefeated team suffers its first defeat.
Until another team can equal an unblemished record, it’s simply bottoms up for Nick and the rest of the 1972 members. The other NFL franchises only hope is to keep on fishing and pray that something, besides a Dolphin, will bite.
Article comments
1 - Rob H
I enjoyed your blurbs about the current lives of the Miami Dolphins. I've never seen Larry Csonka referred to as Lawrence so many times in one article, but that is a minor quibble. Several 1972 Dolphins have died, and one (Mercury Morris) served significant jail time. I hope he is doing better now.
Bob Griese was my hero growing up. A true class act.
2 - David
Another: Linebacker Jesse Powell is a State Farm Insurance agent in Lubbock, Texas.
3 - alessandro nicolo
Never say never but the record will probably never be broken.
4 - Joe
Good article on the team responsible for the greatest NFL season ever. It really is a remarkable accomplishment to go undefeated. Very interesting to see what those guys are up to these days.