Nick Buoniconti—RIP

By John Turney

Credit: Gary Thomas

Nick Buoniconti died on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. He was 78. He was an All-American at the University of Notre Dame, he was the middle linebacker for the “No-Name Defense” that went to three straight Super Bowls, winning two.

He was drafted by the Patriots in the 13th round of the 1962 AFL Draft and played for then Boston Patriots and beginning in 1970 the Dolphins, winning All-AFL honors seven times (five consensus) times in a 14-year pro football career.

Partial Career Stats—

Honors

1962— Second-team All-AFL

1963— First-team All-AFL; AFL All-Star Game (de facto Pro Bowl)

1964— Consensus All-AFL; AFL All-Star Game (de facto Pro Bowl)

1965— Consensus All-AFL; AFL All-Star Game (de facto Pro Bowl)

1966— Consensus All-AFL; AFL All-Star Game (de facto Pro Bowl)

1967— Consensus All-AFL; AFL All-Star Game (de facto Pro Bowl)

1968— First-team All-AFL 

1969— Consensus All-AFL; AFL All-Star Game (de facto Pro Bowl)

1972— Second-team All-NFL; Pro Bowl

1973—Second-team All-AFC; Pro Bowl