Mike Kolen, a two-time Tremendous Bowl champion and a member of the Dolphins’ excellent season, died Wednesday, Auburn College introduced.
Kolen was 76 years previous
He earned All-SEC honors at Auburn throughout his junior and senior years and led the staff in tackles throughout 16 of the 25 video games he began from 1967-69.
In 1969, he turned the primary recipient of the Nationwide Christian Athlete of the 12 months Award.
Kolen was generally known as a hard-hitter on the sphere, the place he acquired the nickname “Captain Crunch.”
“I by no means tried to harm anyone, however soccer is a bodily sport,” he recalled in 2014. “I loved that a part of it. I’m probably not having fun with it a lot now, as a result of it’s all coming house for me. Within the final 12 months and a half I’ve had a few joint replacements.
“Once you begin enjoying within the first grade and play during faculty and eight years within the NFL, that’s going to occur.”
He was chosen within the twelfth spherical of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Dolphins and was part of three straight AFC title groups and back-to-back Tremendous Bowl champions.
Kolen, who performed for the Dolphins from 1970-77, notably picked off Johnny Unitas’ move within the 1971 AFC title sport, a 21-0 Dolphins win over the Colts.
Within the 1972 AFC title sport, Kolen intercepted a Terry Bradshaw move within the ultimate minute to protect a 21-17 win over the Steelers.
Two weeks later, the Dolphins completed an undefeated season with a 14-7 win over Washington.
He returned to Auburn annually to current the Mike Kolen Award to Auburn’s main tackler from the earlier season.
“It’s been an actual thrill for me,” Kolen stated in 2016. “You’re congratulating a participant from the earlier 12 months who had an awesome impression on Auburn’s defensive aspect of the ball, being the main tackler. Being there at Auburn, being out on the sphere, sort of reminds you of some previous reminiscences. It’s only a very nice expertise, and one thing I’ve totally loved over time.”
Kolen leaves behind his spouse, Nancy, and two youngsters.
“Mike Kolen is without doubt one of the most interesting males I’ve ever recognized,” stated former Auburn athletics director and sports activities data director David Housel. “Being a soccer participant was secondary to Mike Kolen. He’s one of many biggest soccer gamers Auburn ever had, however he was way more. A rock, a beacon.
“Once I consider Mike Kolen, I consider toughness, competitiveness, and a high quality of goodness. He was an awesome soccer participant however he was a greater man.”
Kolen ventured into actual property and owned his personal companies after he stepped away from skilled soccer in 1977, in keeping with Auburn.