It is with heavy hearts that we remember the passing of Mike Kolen, a key member of the Miami Dolphins’ championship teams in the early 1970s. Kolen, nicknamed “Captain Crunch” for his fierce tackling, was a 12th-round pick who became a starting member of one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Kolen’s impact on the Dolphins’ defense was immediate, as he started at linebacker in each of the team’s three consecutive Super Bowl trips from 1971-1973. He played a crucial role in the team’s 1971 playoff run, recording 11 tackles and an interception. Kolen continued to excel in the playoffs, with another interception during the 1972 season and a career-high in interceptions during the 1973 season as the Dolphins successfully defended their title.

But Kolen’s football career began long before his time in Miami. He was a standout player at Auburn University, where he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. Auburn even created an award in his honor, given annually to the Tigers player who leads the team in tackles each season. Kolen took great pride in personally presenting the award to the recipient, and his love for his alma mater never wavered.

Off the field, Kolen was also a published author, with a book about the ’72 Dolphins titled “The Greatest Team: A Playbook for Champions.” In 2017, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which he believed was a result of playing football. But despite the challenges he faced, Kolen had no regrets about his football career and considered it a privilege to have played for both Auburn and the Miami Dolphins.

As we remember Mike Kolen, let us also remember the values he learned from football and the impact he had on the game. He will always be a legend in the hearts of Dolphins fans and the entire football community.

Mike Kolen, a key member of the Miami Dolphins’ championship teams in the early 1970s, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76. Known as “Captain Crunch” for his fierce tackling, Kolen’s impact on the Dolphins’ defense was immediate and lasting. He will always be remembered as a legend in the hearts of Dolphins fans and the entire football community.