Bob Heinz, member of undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, dies at 79

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 01:56 · Archive

Bob Heinz, a defensive lineman for the only undefeated team in NFL history, has died aged 79.

Bob Heinz, a member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only undefeated team in NFL history, has died aged 79. He was diagnosed with heart failure four years ago and died of natural causes on 31 October in California.

Heinz played defensive line for the Dolphins' celebrated 'No-Name Defense', a term coined by Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry to describe the unit's lack of high-profile players. He was drafted in the second round in 1969 from the University of the Pacific and played 109 games for Miami, starting 55, recording nine sacks overall and 2.5 sacks across 11 playoff games. The 1972 Dolphins went 14-0 in the regular season then won three postseason games, including Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins. Heinz was part of a stout defence that helped the Dolphins reach three straight Super Bowls, winning two in 1972 and 1973.

Heinz played for the Dolphins until 1977, then finished his career with one season in Washington in 1978. He became an advertising executive in California after retirement. The Dolphins issued a statement saying: 'Bob was a member of the 1972 Perfect Team, a two-time Super Bowl champion and a key part of Miami's legendary No-Name Defense.' His son John told the Miami Herald: 'What I loved most about my dad was just his loving good nature. He was an overwhelmingly kind and caring person.' Heinz is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol, three children and two grandchildren.

How it is being reported

• Bob Heinz, member of NFL’s last undefeated team, dead at 79A Milwaukee native who then moved to California, attended Delta College and the University of the Pacific before getting selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft.New York Post · 4 Nov, 01:45
• Former NFL star Bob Heinz, who was member of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team, dies at 79Bob Heinz, a member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team to go an entire NFL season undefeated and win the Super Bowl, has died aged 79.Daily Mail Sport · 4 Nov, 00:45

In this story: Bob Heinz · Miami Dolphins · Washington Redskins · University of the Pacific · California · Washington

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