Mike Kolen, who performed linebacker for the undefeated Miami Dolphins Tremendous Bowl crew, has died, his alma mater Auburn College introduced on Wednesday. He was 76.
The Dolphins chosen Kolen within the twelfth spherical of the 1970 draft out of Auburn, the place he was a two-time All-SEC choice and earned the nickname “Captain Crunch.” He ended up enjoying seven seasons in Miami earlier than retiring after the 1977 season.
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Miami Dolphins linebacker Mike Kolen in opposition to the New England Patriots in Massachusetts, Dec. 5, 1971. (Dick Raphael-USA At present Sports activities)
“Mike Kolen is without doubt one of the best males I’ve ever identified,” former Auburn athletics director David Housel mentioned in a press launch. “Being a soccer participant was secondary to Mike Kolen. He is one of many best soccer gamers Auburn ever had, however he was far more. A rock, a beacon.
“After I consider Mike Kolen, I consider toughness, competitiveness, and a high quality of goodness. He was an ideal soccer participant, however he was a greater man.”
Kolen performed 84 video games for the Dolphins and had 5 interceptions in that span.
Billy Kilmer of the Washington Redskins will get sacked by Mike Kolen of the Miami Dolphins throughout Tremendous Bowl VII on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Jan. 14, 1973. (Dick Raphael-USA At present Sports activities)
He was not solely on the lone undefeated 1972 Dolphins crew, however was on the crew that gained the Tremendous Bowl in 1973 as properly.
Kolen was additionally part of one of the well-known performs in NFL historical past, The Palm Seaside Submit famous.
Generally known as the “Sea of Arms” play, Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler threw a miracle landing cross to Clarence Davis within the 1974 AFC Divisional Spherical.
Miami Dolphins linebacker Mike Kolen on the sector in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings throughout Tremendous Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium, Jan. 13, 1974 (Dick Raphael-USA At present Sports activities)
Stabler was falling on the bottom as he threw the cross and, someway, the ball bounced round and acquired by the fingers of Kolen, Larry Ball and Charlie Babb. Davis got here down with the ball, and thus the Dolphins dynasty was over.
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Kolen’s reason for loss of life wasn’t revealed. However he instructed the Miami Herald in 2017 he was recognized with Alzheimer’s illness.
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