Nick Buoniconti facts for kids
Buoniconti, circa 1975
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
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| Born: | December 15, 1940 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Died: | July 30, 2019 (aged 78) Bridgehampton, New York, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||
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| High school: | Cathedral (Springfield, Massachusetts) |
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| College: | Notre Dame | ||||||
| AFL draft: | 1962 / Round: 13 / Pick: 102 | ||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Nicholas Anthony Buoniconti (born December 15, 1940 – died July 30, 2019) was an American professional football player. He was a middle linebacker in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). Nick played for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins. He won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins. Buoniconti was honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
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Early Life and Family Connections
Nicholas Buoniconti was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. His parents, Nicholas Sr. and Pasqualina, ran a family bakery. Nick grew up in a part of the city called the South End. He played football for Cathedral High School. A special plaque honoring him was placed there in 2012.
Nick graduated from the University of Notre Dame. The American Football League's Patriots picked him in the 13th round of the 1962 AFL draft.
In 1985, his son Marc had a serious spinal cord injury while playing football. This injury caused Marc to become a quadriplegic. Nick then became a leader in starting the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. This project is now one of the world's top centers for brain and nerve research.
Nick was married twice and had three children from his first marriage.
College Football Journey
In 1960, as a junior, Nick was second on the Notre Dame team in tackles. He had 71 tackles that season. As a senior in 1961, Nick led the team with 74 tackles. He was also a co-captain for the team.
For his great play, Nick was chosen as a second-team All-American. He was the only All-American player on Notre Dame's 1961 team.
Professional Football Career
Nick Buoniconti was the captain of the 1961 Notre Dame football team. Even though he was a great college player, some professional scouts thought he was too small for the NFL. The Boston Patriots picked him in the 13th round of the 1962 AFL draft. He changed his position to linebacker and quickly made a big impact.
Playing for the Boston Patriots
Nick was named the Patriots' rookie of the year right away. The next year, in 1963, he helped Boston win the AFL Eastern Division title. While with the Patriots, Nick played in five AFL All-Star Games. He also made 24 interceptions, which is still one of the most in team history.
Nick was named second-team All-AFL in 1963. After that, he was a first-team All-AFL player for five of the next six seasons. He is a member of the Patriots All-1960s (AFL) Team. He is also on the AFL All-Time Team.
Success with the Miami Dolphins
In 1969, Nick was traded to the Miami Dolphins. He continued to play very well. He was an AFL All-Star in 1969. He also made the NFL Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973. During these years, Nick helped lead the Dolphins to two Super Bowl wins.
Nick's leadership was key to the Dolphins' strong defense. The team reached three Super Bowls in a row under coach Don Shula. One of these was the amazing 1972 season, where the Dolphins went undefeated. In 1973, Nick set a team record with 162 tackles.
He finished his career with 32 interceptions. This ranks him third all-time among NFL linebackers. The Dolphins named him their Most Valuable Player three times. In 1991, Nick was honored on the Miami Dolphins' Honor Roll at Hard Rock Stadium.
Life After Football
While playing for the Patriots, Nick earned a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. He worked as a lawyer for a short time. He also worked as an agent, representing many professional athletes.
Nick was a co-host for the HBO show Inside the NFL until 2001. That same year, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Later in life, Nick openly shared that he had neurological health issues. In 2017, he announced that he would donate his brain for CTE research after he passed away. In 2018, he supported a program called Flag Football Under 14. This program advises against tackle football for kids under 14 years old.
Death
Nick Buoniconti died from pneumonia on July 30, 2019. He was 78 years old.
See also
- List of American Football League players
